Reedy Creek Coalition

How is your watershed vision?

 Is it murkey and muddy like Reedy Creek after a rain?

 Do you know why it looks that way?

Attend our workshop and we can clear that up for you!

See the details on our flyer below.

The registration “fee” is either $20 or 20 volunteer hours.

CLICK HERE to register

And please see our previous post for volunteer opportunities.

This event is limited to 40 participants. 

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Become a member of the Reedy Creek Coalition by volunteering with us.  There are many ways you can do this.  Here are some examples.

• Become trained as an auditor for stormwater management on private and / or commercial properties.  An audit is actually a fun and challenging combination of detective work and problem solving.  Learn about various Best Management Practices such as those illustrated below.

Learn how to tell if a gutter downspout is “connected” (discharge reaches the street and hence the creek or river) or “disconnected” (discharge soaks into the ground).  If a downspout is connected, you may be able to re-direct the outflow so that it soaks into the ground rather than reaching the street.

Learn about rain barrels and how to store rain water for later use or re-direct a gutter discharge to an area you would like to be moist.  The overflow from this rain barrel is being re-directed to water some spice bushes which require moist conditions.

Learn about permeable pavers. (See http://www.estormwater.com/preserving-past.  As stated in this article, this layout at the VA Capitol grounds was designed to direct storm water into the ground, instead of allowing it to flow to the James River.)  Permeable pavers can be installed anywhere but are especially useful for commercial areas. Photo used by permission from Ted Corvey

Learn about rain gardens.  These areas are constructed to be  low-lying and trap water with plants that can handle wet or dry conditions.  Like permeable pavers, they can be installed anywhere but are especially useful for commercial areas.

• Participate in stormwater management audits of private and / or commercial properties.  A report is written for every property audited.  We’ve improved the auditing process so that by the time the audit is completed, the report that must be sent to each “auditee” is virtually written.  You’ll be working on a team to help with making BMP suggestions.

• Become trained in stream monitoring.  We do this monthly at assigned sites in the creek, as part of a team.  The results are compiled and used to track the progress or decline of  Reedy Creek. 

• Are you a writer?  Write articles — general or specific articles — to educate the community about our mission, how to prevent stormwater runoff and other topics such as description of native plants or habitats. We can publish these on our website.

• Encourage and coordinate volunteers by keeping  track of volunteer hours and advertising the need for volunteers for RCC projects.

• Participate in workday projects.  Throughout the year we conduct work projects, doing such things as storm-sewer stenciling, tree-planting, and invasive plant (e.g. as English Ivy and Japanese Stilt Grass) removal.

• Learn about BayScaping and about how landscaping with native plants can, in itself, decrease stormwater runoff.  This knowledge will be important when you do stormwater audits.

A native plant garden is beautiful.

• Are you a gardener?  Help us grow native plants that act as host plants and nectar  plants to native pollinators and help with runoff control. We will offer these plants to the public.  Plants we need include milkweed, monarda, boneset, joe pye weed, goldenrod, spice bush and many others.  We dream of having our own native plants nursery.  For now, we must rely on individuals to grow plants in their own yards.  Could you help with this?

Ready for Milkweed Seeds, etc.

Please do consider joining us.  We usually meet the 2nd Wednesday of every month at the Stone House in Forest Hill Park, but check our calendar on the website to confirm meeting dates and times.   With help from the community we can make a difference in the health of Reedy Creek and have fun doing it.  Feel free to contact us at reedycreekcoalition@gmail.com for any questions you have concerning meetings or joining  us on any of our activities.

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