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ABOUT OUR DRAINAGE AND POLLUTION WOES

Come to March 29 Rivers Coalition Meeting!

You'll hear all the latest about our continuing water controversies in a personal appearance March 29 by a leading figure at the heart of legal attempts to stop the polluting degradations of our waterways.

He is the outspoken and highly regarded David Guest, director of the Florida Earthjustice non-profit law firm based in Tallahassee.

You will have an opportunity to question Guest about where we stand as he sorts through the often confusing plethora of legal developments and government claims.

In the meantime, visit the Floridawatercoalition.org to see Earthjustice's advocacy work which includes this billboard seen around the state.

The Rivers Coalition meeting will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, March 29 at Stuart City Hall.

Free parking, no admission. We'll keep the light on for you, and even coffee and donuts.

Upcoming Meetings

Thursday March 29 11:00 am - 12:30 pm

Wednesday April 25 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm - Night Meeting

Thursday May 31 11:00 am - 12:30 pm

Thursday June 28 11:00 am - 12:30 pm

Wednesday July 25 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm - Night Meeting

Thursday August 30 11:00 am - 12:30 pm

Thursday Sept 27 11:00 am - 12:30 pm

Wednesday October 24 6:00 pm - 7:30 pm - Night Meeting

What's Happening at the March 29th Meeting?

11am-12:30pmMar

Rivers Coalition public meetings are held at the city of Stuart commission chambers, 121 SW Flagler Ave. Everyone's support is needed.

Free parking, coffee & donuts!

Business Matters

•    Chairman’s Comments - Mark Perry

•    Special Presentation - David Guest

•    River Kidz - David Brown/Nicole Mader

•    Committee Reports - Mark Perry

•    Legal Update - Karl Wickstrom

•    Speakers Bureau - Todd Weissing

Coalition  Reports

•    Local Issues & Estuary Water Quality - Mark Perry/George Jones

•    WRAC    “Water Resources Advisory Commission” - Mark Perry/George Jones

•    Federal & State Issues-CERP/IRL - Kevin Henderson / Paul Gray

•    ROGER “River of Grass Estuary/Everglades Restoration” - Ted Guy/John

Marshall

Government & Agency Progress Reports

•    Martin County Updates - Don Donaldson

•    South Florida Water Mgmt District - Boyd Gunsalus

•    FDEP - Mary Murphy

Speakers Bureau Update!

Kevin Henderson, an active member of the Rivers Coalition, presented to about 70 men and women from the St Lucie Sailing Club, on March 5th.  The Rivers Coalition discussion included, a historical review of waterways which includes Lake Okeechobee, issues we have endured over time, solutions to those problems, and that the Rivers Coalition is fighting to preserve and improve our rivers and estuary for our generation and beyond.  We were very pleased to find that the members of the St Lucie Sailing Club were well informed and very interested in the St. Lucie Estuary and Indian River Lagoon.  We are very excited to report that many of the attendees signed up for the Force Newsletter. 

For ways you can help please visit www.RiversCoalition.org also for more information on the Rivers Coalition Speakers Bureau contact Todd Weissing at (772) 223-6743 or ctodd_weissing@ml.com.

Click here to email us.

The River Kidz have continued their governmental and public outreach this month! The formal final photo for Keep Martin Beautiful was published and the RIVER KIDZ were recognized on the electronic billboard on Monterey! Throughout the month children were encouraged to post their river art on Facebook, below is five year old, Jack Maldonado Benson's piece entitled "Osprey Like Fish in a Clean River." which was this month's winner. River Momz Jenny Flaugh and Nic Mader took their daughters Evie and Naia to the Matin County Commission to present their art piece RIVER KIDZ COLLAGE, by local artist Brenda Leigh and the Kidz. The two art pieces are presently being displayed in the lobby of the Martin County Administrative Building.

Formal public relations photo for RIVER KIDZ winners, Keep Martin Beautiful, Environmental Stewardship Awards

Jack Maldonado Benson, 5, Facebook Art

entry winner for February "OSPREY LIKE FISH IN A CLEAN RIVER!"

 River Mom, Jenny Flaugh and River Kid,  Evie  recognized before the  MCBOCC

 River Kid, Naia and River Mom, Nic Mader before the MCBOCC

River Kidz Naia & Evie show the commissioners Brenda Leigh's River Kidz collage now on display in the administrative building

 RIVER KIDZ supported petition against oil drilling off the coast of Florida for SURF RIDER

 River Kidz sing to US Senator Bill Nelson!

The River Kidz petition on change.org now has 249 signees! The petition is asking for all government agencies to limit agricultural fertilizer running into the rivers.

This is an ongoing petition. Please show your support and sign!

Click Here to Sign the Petition!

Please friend us on Facebook or go to www.riverscoalition.org to learn about all the cool things we are doing!

Rivers Coalition is a Eco-Voice Sponsor!

How to Become a Member?

Membership is free! If you are interested in helping save the environment of SW Florida, you may join Eco-voice by going to www.eco-voice.org and selecting subscribe.

Click Here to Join Eco-Voice on FaceBook.

Ted's Articles of Interest

News MARCH'12 by EvergladesHUB

Reservoirs Everglades restoration water supply: Reservoirs, creative solutions are key to Everglades restoration, water supply - South Florida Sun-Sentinel.com

$700 million C-51 reservoir project tabled, for more study

Ortona Sand Mine in Glades County: Bizarre source of sand for South Florida

Hands off our water - Editorials - MiamiHerald.com

'Wind farm' beside Everglades gets initial go-ahead, despite bird concerns - South

Commentary: Fix last year's mistake on Florida's most vital resource -- water

Everglades suffering from sulfate runoff and Methylmercury contamination | Friends

Painting To Be Raffled in 2012!

"Save Our River" T-shirts featuring an attractive painting of the St. Lucie River wildlife available for purchase at our next meeting. You still have a chance to win the original painting by Mark Johnson.

Read about the T-shirts here:

http://www.riverscoalition.org/t-shirts.php

Don't forget to get your name on the Donor Honor Roll!

Click here to see if your name is on the list.

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Thank you for all your support.

Editor: Jessica Briske

Learn how to help, click here.