See you in 2014

Please stay tuned for details on our January meeting. Best wishes to you for the holiday season and new year.This photo from Daniel Hancock is from our last photo contest.

A Wonderful Holiday Party

Hats off to all who made our holiday party so enjoyable. Here is a list of awards presented at the party. Congratulations go out to our wonderful award recipients 

• Volunteer of the Year Award - Connie Herron
• Good Neighbor Award - Joseph Phillips of Hollywood Scapes 
• Community Partner Award - Derek Schaefer
• Public Official Award - Chris Vild, Service Department, Beachwood, Ohio
• Tom Jenkins Award - Fran Hogg (thank you to Anna Julnes for this great picture of Fran Hogg at the party) 

December holiday party

You are invited to Friends of Euclid Creek's Holiday Gathering 

Tuesday, December 3, 2013 
Doors open at 6:30pm and dinner at 7:00pm 
Mayfield Village Community Room (at NW corner of SOM Center Road and Wilson Mills Road)

Celebrate the season by joining FOEC for this festive, fundraising event! Good company, good food and good music for a great cause. 

$22 in advance, $25 at the door (make checks payable to "Friends of Euclid Creek"). 

Please RSVP by November 27 to Barb Pophal at 216-481-4397.

This image of American Holly is from wildflowers.org

November meeting

November Meeting

November 5      6:30pm-8:30pm   South Euclid Community Center
Topic: Sewer district speaker about water quality
A speaker from the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District will share with us just how our water is made ready for drinking

Stay tuned for an update on this graphic to include the funds we recently raised for our land conservation projects including the Redstone Run property in Richmond Heights. Thank you to Clare Posius for providing the graphic. We are still actively accepting donations as we have not yet reached our goal.

October and November news

October 30 - California Pizza Kitchen fund raiser

Here is a simple and fun way that you can help Friends of Euclid Creek achieve its goal of land conservation.

Come to California Pizza Kitchen at Legacy Village on October 30 with our flyer and 20% of your check goes to FOEC.  To download a flyer click
https://www.dropbox.com/s/t2cqg4h2xbd0ujh/
CPKFriends%20of%20Euclid%20Creek%2010-30-2013.pdf.

November Meeting
November 5      6:30pm-8:30pm    
South Euclid Community CenterTopic: Sewer district speaker about water quality
A speaker from the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District will share with us just how our water is made ready for drinking

Thank You

A  sincere “thank you” to everyone who attended our Redstone Run Benefit on Friday, October 4 at the Richmond Place Clubhouse. Thanks to your generous support, we were able to raise $3,475 toward our goal of $20,000 for the preservation of the Highland Reserve property on Redstone Run.

Were you unable to attend the fundraiser? No problem – you can still donate by visiting the following website: http://www.cuyahogaswcd.org/EuclidCreekFiles/FriendsofEuclidCreek_Support-Us.htm.

October and November update

Check back soon for details about our November meeting.

A sincere “thank you” to everyone who attended our Redstone Run Benefit on Friday, October 4 at the Richmond Place Clubhouse.  Thanks to your generous support, we were able to raise $3,475 toward our goal of $20,000 for the preservation of the Highland Reserve property on Redstone Run.  

Were you unable to attend the fundraiser?  No problem – you can still donate by visiting the following website:http://www.cuyahogaswcd.org/EuclidCreekFiles/FriendsofEuclidCreek_Support-Us.htm. 

We are still asking for donations for our current land preservation initiatives that include the Redstone Run property in Richmond Heights. Click HERE for more details about this BEAUTIFUL property. Click HERE to access our Donate feature. Thank you to everyone who participated in the Oct. 4 fundraiser and Oct. 5 cleanup events for the Redstone Run property recently preserved. 

See Connie Herron's beautiful video above and at
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-N3LN7aD30 for a great view of the property. 
--

Come to California Pizza Kitchen on October 30 with our flyer and 20% of your check goes to Friends of Euclid Creek. To download a flyer click
https://www.dropbox.com/s/t2cqg4h2xbd0ujh/CPKFriends%20of%20Euclid%20Creek%2010-30-2013.pdf.

FUNdraiser in support of Friends of Euclid Creek - October 30, 2013 = All Day!
Valid at the following location:
California Pizza Kitchen25365 Cedar Road
Lyndhurst, Ohio 44124   Telephone 216.382.4907

Organizational history and profile

Thank you to Ginny Aveni for providing this history and profile

Organizational History and Profile

Organizational History

2001 Group of six interested volunteers form Friends of Euclid Creek (FOEC) as response to development of Legacy Village and impact on natural resources in the watershed.

2001 City of Highland Heights is awarded $300,000 Clean Ohio grant to protect 12 acres for Dusty Goldenrod wetland meadow with endangered plants.

2002 FOEC members hold ‘A Day in the Park,’ festival and sign up 40 members and volunteers.

2003 FOEC receives non-profit status under state incorporation and Federal Internal Revenue Service.

2003-4 FOEC members participate in community events, educating public on watersheds and watershed issue; i.e., Greenwood Farm, Beachwood Green Dream, Lyndhurst Home Days, South Euclid Home Days.

2005 FOEC, partners of Cuyahoga Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD)  and John Carroll University ,to begin regular water quality monitoring of key sites in the watershed.

2005 Highland Heights turns down the Clean Ohio grant from Ohio Public Works Commission.  FOEC adopts the grant and, with Cuyahoga Soil & Water Conservation District, negotiates with property owner, Mayfield City Schools, assumes grant requirements and preserves the land.

2005 Completes Euclid Creek Watershed Action Plan. 

2005 FOEC receives Ohio EPA Environmental Education Fund grant for organizational brochures and roadway signage, raising awareness about Euclid Creek watershed.

2005 FOEC members tour Baldwin Filtration Plant, learning the issues, cost and technology of drinking water protection.

2006 FOEC evaluates benefits and challenges of rain gardens in Euclid Creek; installs four demonstration gardens with educational signage in watershed communities.  Grants are from Ohio Lake Erie Commission and Lake Erie Protection Fund.

2007 FOEC members tour Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District’s Easterly Treatment Plant, learning management issues of sewage discharge and control in Lake Erie.

2008 FOEC receives service award as ‘Watershed of the Year’ from Ohio Lake Erie Commission.

2009 FOEC receives $1.4 million Great Lakes Restoration Initiative award for restoration and redesign of Wildwood Park estuary.

2009 FOEC accepts donation of Marcella Road 1 acre parcel along the Creek in Cleveland.  Cleans and plants trees on the property.

2010 FOEC establishes $500 college scholarship for high school seniors living in the watershed.

2010 FOEC, with Cuyahoga Soil & Water Conservation District complete and celebrate removal of a low-head dam on the East Branch of Euclid Creek.

2011 FOEC members hold driving tour of upper Cuyahoga River Watershed.

2012 FOEC receives $162,000 Clean Ohio Fund award for preservation of Redstone Run 8- acre riparian area in Richmond Heights.

2013 FOEC completes strategic plan for short- and long term organizational plan.

2013 FOEC and CSWCD contractors complete Wildwood lacustrine wetland construction of wetlands.

2013 FOEC members participate with Cuyahoga RAP in ‘releaf’ planting on Euclid Creek estuary in Richmond Heights.

2013 FOEC begins fund drive, Land Conservation  Fund, to raise $20,000 for closing costs on Richmond Heights property.

Organizational Profile

The Friends of Euclid Creek is comprised of 125 citizens from nine cities in the Euclid Creek Watershed. A 13-member Board directs FOEC’s activities.

A watershed coordinator, retained by Cuyahoga County Soil & Water District (CSWCD) manages the water conservation and education work of FOEC.

FOEC members, in partnership with Cuyahoga SWCD, volunteer at numerous rain barrel workshops.

FOEC members conduct and aid in beach and stream cleanups, invasive plant removals, and water quality monitoring every year.

FOEC provides monthly educational meetings and/or field trips for member and friends.  All meetings are open and free for the public.

October - November update

Check back soon for details about our November meeting.

We are still asking for donations for our current land preservation initiatives that include the Redstone Run property in Richmond Heights. Click HERE for more details about this BEAUTIFUL property. Click HERE to access our Donate feature. Thank you to everyone who participated in the Oct. 4 fundraiser and Oct. 5 cleanup events for the Redstone Run property recently preserved. 

See Connie Herron's beautiful video above and at
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-N3LN7aD30 for a great view of the property. 
--

Come to California Pizza Kitchen on October 30 with our flyer and 20% of your check goes to Friends of Euclid Creek. To download a flyer click
https://www.dropbox.com/s/t2cqg4h2xbd0ujh/CPKFriends%20of%20Euclid%20Creek%2010-30-2013.pdf.

FUNdraiser in support of Friends of Euclid Creek - October 30, 2013 = All Day!
Valid at the following location:
California Pizza Kitchen25365 Cedar Road
Lyndhurst, Ohio 44124   Telephone 216.382.4907

Meeting updates, Redstone Run events for October

We are still asking for donations for our current land acquisition initiatives that include the Redstone Run property in Richmond Heights. Click HERE for more details about this BEAUTIFUL property. Click HERE to access our Donate feature.

Please click HERE for details about our October 4 fundraising event to support this land conservation activity. Click Redstone Run Benefit to see the invitation.

Click Redstone Run Cleanup to see the flier about the October 5 cleanup event.

See the video above and at 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R-N3LN7aD30 for a great view of the property. Thank you to Connie Herron for the video.
--
Come to California Pizza Kitchen on October 30 with our flyer and  20% of your check goes to Friends of Euclid Creek. 
Let me know at jeanette.evans@sbcglobal.net if I can email you a flyer or click
https://www.dropbox.com/s/t2cqg4h2xbd0ujh/CPKFriends%20of%20Euclid%20Creek%2010-30-2013.pdf to download a flyer.

FUNdraiser in support of:
Friends of Euclid Creek
October 30, 2013
All Day!

Valid at the following location:
California Pizza Kitchen
25365 Cedar Road
Lyndhurst, Ohio 44124
216.382.4907

--

Friends of Euclid Creek Monthly Meeting - Fall Hike at Acacia

October 1
6:30pm-8:30pm
Acacia Reservation - meet at parking lot off of Cedar

Topic: Fall hike in Acacia Reservation - Join us for a walk through Acacia to see the headwaters of Euclid Creek and explore this new Cleveland Metroparks Reservation.

Thank you to Bill McReynolds for this photo of our Acadia event. 

-- Here is a reminder of our success to date on raising money to preserve our Redstone Run property. Thank you to Claire Posius for providing this graphic. Thank you to all who contributed so far. Be sure to stop by! Richmond Heights 5th Annual Family Fun Fest at the Farm Saturday, September 21 1:00pm-5:00pm Greenwood Farm, 264 Richmond Road, 44143 Stop by the Euclid Creek table at the event! http://www.richmondheightsohio.org/GreenwoodFarm.php. SEPTEMBER MEETING FEATURES FOEC MEMBERS Here is a message from FOEC president Barb Holtz about our upcoming September meeting. " ... our September meeting will feature short presentations by none other than our members! We could use two to three more folks that are interested in presenting a 5, 10 or 15 minute program around a topic of your choice...a topic that is connected to the health of the watershed, an environmental issue, sustainable living, or related theme. We would love to hear from YOU!" If you would like to share your voice with the friendly FOEC crowd, please let jeanette.evans@sbglobal.net know. Please join us on Tuesday, September 3, at 6:30 pm for our next Friends of Euclid Creek meeting. We will be meeting at South Euclid Community Center. Our lastest list of presenters include: 1. Bill McReynolds - Geosynthetics in Landfill Construction (5 mins.) 2. Rick Evans - LED Lighting (10 mins.) 3. Cathi Lehn - Detrimental Effects of Outdoor Cats on Wildlife, LEAP Initiative (10 mins.) 4. Christi Carlson - Tree Academy (10 mins.) 5. Brian Gilbert - Plant ID App (10 mins.) 6. Connie Herron - Redstone Run (15 mins.) We also have much to share about upcoming events at Redstone Run (our newest land holding), Acacia Reservation and Wildwood. MORE ABOUT OUR LAND CONSERVATION FUND In 2013, Friends of Euclid Creek established a Land Conservation Fund to aid us in our goal of preserving natural areas in the watershed. The impetus for creating this fund was our interest in conserving two properties, one in Richmond Heights and one in Highland Heights, both on tributaries to the East Branch of Euclid Creek. With the help of Clean Ohio grant funding, the West Creek Conservancy, and our Watershed Coordinator, we have successfully acquired the 8.7-acre Redstone Run property in Richmond Heights. The partial Clean Ohio funding covered the purchase of the property, but did not cover $20,000 inclosing and conservation costs. To date we have raised nearly half of the funding needed and we are well on our way to reaching our goal, but we still need your donations to succeed. -- This text was adapted from the Euclid Creek Watershed publication of September, 2013. Minutes of September 3 FOEC meeting Thank you to Frank Skala for providing these meeting minutes. Christi Carlson filled in for Barb Holtz and opened meeting at 6:30. Nametags were used by all attendees. Attendance was 22 people. Claire Posius opened up with updates on the new and improved website, coming soon maybe by end of year. Website will be very complete and easy to use, containing projects partner links, events, pictures, etc. The domain name is Euclid Creek watershed.org. The new newsletter, Euclid Creek watershed update, for summer 2013 was assembled early and distributed at the meeting. There are many upcoming meetings and events listed between September 7 and October 24. See the newsletter. Fliers for the Redstone Run fundraiser on October 4 went out to 200 people. There will be a bio blitz at Acacia reservation. People must register at the Cleveland Metroparks website in order to be a citizen scientist volunteer that day. September 21 is the big day at Wildwood with the restoration celebration, annual CSWCD meeting, many activities. Rick Evans reported as FOEC Treasurer on the conservation fund. There has been $9000 raised to date. Checking account for FOEC has been moved from PNC to Huntington. Christi Carlson covered board and committee structure, passed out outlines of needed committee functions and needed volunteers for these roles. She stated we need many more hands on deck to take on operation rolls for FOEC to function well. The committees needing to be staffed are board development, communication, finance and development, programs, membership, volunteers, special projects. Sheets were circulated for people to sign up. Bill McReynolds spoke on the status of the Euclid Creek tunnel. They were lifting out the massive tunneling machine this week. The main tunnel is complete. There are still connector side tunnels to be completed. He also spoke on the topic of synthetic polyethylene materials for lining ponds and landfills. He passed out sample materials of liners and examples of liner weldings. Rick Evans gave an update on LED lighting versus other forms of lighting, namely incandescent lights. The pros of LED lighting are low environmental impact. Cost has dropped 50% in last year. Doesn't produce much heat. Can last 60,000 hours if installation and operated properly. The cons are: some LEDs fail, especially in early life. More complex than incandescent. Don't work well with dimmers. Non-name brands are unlikely to be well tested. Cathi Lehn spoke on LEAP, Lake Erie Allegheny partnership and wildlife conflict committee. The mission of LEAP is to preserve diversity. She also spoke on the issues of feral cats and domestic cats that are released outdoors. These cats kill billions of birds, plus reptiles, mice, etc. and impact biodiversity negatively. The life of a feral cat may be three years whereas a domestic cat kept indoors may live 19 to 22 years. She referred to the EUCLID beach Feral cat Study. Brian Gilbert spoke on his plant identification smart phone application. He has identified 530 plants so far in Euclid Creek reservation. he passed out a prototype field guide of his smart phone app. He supplied a draft of his business card to Christy for review. Brian has entered into an agreement with FOEC for purpose of taking in fundraising money and contributions and being able to provide tax deduction status to these funds. He stated that the Green Info company, software developers, are saying the application is ready to code, But it will require $6000-$9000. These are the same developers that helped Metroparks to put together a new trail mapping system. He stated that he could use help in getting letters of support, identifying plants – people can come help him identify plants any day between 9 AM and 10 AM in Euclid Creek reservation. Find him in the park by looking for his Smart car. He can also use help by people telling him newsletters that he can post his announcements and requests for help. He appreciates any contributions, even the smallest, even one dollar helps build the list of contributors. He mentioned that Cleveland Metroparks is assembling a herbarium, to identify and display plant specimens, to help residents identify plants. Connie Herron spoke on the Redstone run property acquisition. She spoke of the 8.8 acres in Richmond heights near Highland Road and Hillcrest was about to be cleared of trees and put up for sale to developers. She enlisted key people, took pictures, researched lots on Zillow, got pro bono survey of trees and build helped build campaign to get Grant to acquire property and put it into conservation. There were 125 salable trees that were targeted for calling. She thanks all that helped! The slideshow didn't play, but will be running continuously at the October 4 fundraiser event. Ginny Aveni, in charge of the nominations committee, spoke to her search for people for the FOEC board. These people would be expected to come to most board meetings, help guide things they want done, make decisions, make some financial contributions. The clean Ohio fund will have $3.4 million of new money coming up for grant distribution next year. There are three board positions open. If Ginny does not have any volunteers coming forward, and nobody did at the meeting, she will be making calls directly to members to develop the nomination list. THANK YOU FOR VISITING As of September 1, 2013, we got over 15,700 views on this blog. Thanks for visiting. The photo comes from Daniel Hancock, a winner in our last photo contest.

Volunteer Cleanup Day at Redstone Run

Saturday, October 5        
10:00am-2:00pm   
25309 Highland Road, Richmond Heights

Join the Euclid Creek Watershed partners as we clean up a property recently protected with Clean Ohio Funds on Redstone Run (a tributary to the the East Branch of Euclid Creek).  

Activities include: planting trees and plants, installing fencing, cleaning up trash, trimming vegetation, pulling invasive plants, etc. 

RSVP by Friday, September 27, 2013 by contacting Claire Posius at (216) 524-6580 x16 or cposius@cuyahogaswcd.org. 

See the flier here.

September meeting and Redstone Run events on Oct. 4 and Oct. 5

We are still asking for donations for our current land acquisition initiatives that include the Redstone Run property in Richmond Heights. Click HERE for more details about this BEAUTIFUL property. Click HERE to access our Donate feature.

Please click HERE for details about our October 4 fundraising event to support this land conservation activity. Click Redstone Run Benefit to see the invitation.

Click Redstone Run Cleanup to see the flier about the October 5 cleanup event.

SEPTEMBER MEETING FEATURES FOEC MEMBERS Here is a message from FOEC president Barb Holtz about our upcoming September meeting. " ... our September meeting will feature short presentations by none other than our members! We could use two to three more folks that are interested in presenting a 5, 10 or 15 minute program around a topic of your choice...a topic that is connected to the health of the watershed, an environmental issue, sustainable living, or related theme. We would love to hear from YOU!" If you would like to share your voice with the friendly FOEC crowd, please let jeanette.evans@sbglobal.net know. Please join us on Tuesday, September 3, at 6:30 pm for our next Friends of Euclid Creek meeting. We will be meeting at South Euclid Community Center. Our lastest list of presenters include: 1.      Bill McReynolds - Geosynthetics in Landfill Construction (5 mins.) 2.      Rick Evans - LED Lighting (10 mins.) 3.      Cathi Lehn - Detrimental Effects of Outdoor Cats on Wildlife, LEAP Initiative (10 mins.) 4.      Christi Carlson - Tree Academy (10 mins.) 5.      Brian Gilbert - Plant ID App (10 mins.) 6.      Connie Herron - Redstone Run (15 mins.) We also have much to share about upcoming events at Redstone Run (our newest land holding), Acacia Reservation and Wildwood JUNE 4 PICNIC PICTURES Thank you to Connie Herron for providing these photos of our June 4 picnic.

JULY 2 MEETING NOTES Here are some notes about our July meeting held at the South Euclid Community Center. Christi Carlson called the meeting to order and introduced guest Kenny Yuko who spoke of his strong support for the work of FOEC and how he is running for Ohio Senate. Christi then covered the following business issues before showing Greenfire about Aldo Leopold. 1. Over 2/3 of those present voted yes on changing the annual election of the Board from July to November for this year only. Note that by-laws changes will be presented later this year that may make a November election date permanent. However, by-laws changes deserve careful thought and consideration. For this reason, the Board is asking now for permission to change the election date for 2013 only. 2. Those who volunteered to serve on the by-laws revision committee include Larry McFadden, Ginny Aveni, Rick Evans, Ken M. Rapport, and Jeanette Evans. 3. Barb Pophol volunteered to work on membership fee reminders and could join the membership subcommittee. Dates we discussed include deadline of Sept. 4 for Board to agree on the nominating committee names while October 22 is deadline to get notice of the slate to the members. Nov. 5 or before is when member voting should be on the new slate. AUGUST 6 STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING Here are notes that we are currently reviewing Claire Posius called the meeting at the South Euclid Community Center to order around 6:30. Present were Claire Posius, Ginny Aveni, Judy Dearden, Brian Gilbert, Meiring Borcherds, Mary K. Evans, Frank Skala, Connie Herron, Ken M. Rapport, Jeanette Evans, Rick Evans, Barb Holtz, Christi Carlson, and Gary Bloom. We discussed the following topics. Redstone Run property - Possible dates of October 4 for the wine and cheese fund raiser and October 5 for the planting event were discussed - For the wine and cheese fund raiser, the cost would be $35 per person. For those donating at least $150, the cost would be free. 250 invitations is the estimate. - For the planting event, we discussed items needed per Derek Schaefer's list. Website redesign We reviewed Google Analytics reports and mockups of the new site. Newsletter Claire proposed a single newsletter. JULY 17 STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING Here are notes that we are curently reviewing. Present at the July 17, 2013, meeting held at the South Euclid Library were Steve Albro, Carolyn Suguichi, Christi Carlson, Barb Holtz, Ginny Aveni, Ken M. Rapport, Frank Skala, Jeanette Evans, Rick Evans, and Gary Bloom. Barb called the meeting to order and led the discussion on the following. Wild Plant ID We got a majority vote to enter into the contract. By Laws Larry, Carolyn, and Ken will be on the committee. We will go to the membership to get more people on the committee. Meetings should start in early September. Elections and nominations Ginny will head this up. We need a committee by September 5. RH property We discussed items needed and bills. Membership At the last general meeting, Barb Pophol volunteered to help with membership. Frank plans to follow up with Barb and discussed ideas related to membership. Minutes Barb asked Jeanette to email minutes to the board. Banking We discussed moving from PNC to Huntington. PAST LAND ACQUISITION INITIATIVE Thank you to Frank Skala for providing the photos that show the Fragile Ecosystem sign that appears near the area FOEC helped to preserve and the dusty goldenrod that is in the ecologically sensitive meadow part of the this ecosystem. AUGUST 21 STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING NOTES We are still reviewing these notes. Present at the August 21 steering committee meeting taking place at the South Euclid Librarywas Christi Carlson, Ginny Aveni, Connie Herron, Jeanette Evans, Rick Evans, Gary Bloom, Judy Dearden, Barb Holtz, and Carolyn Suguichi. Barb called the meeting to order around 7PM. We discussed the following. 1. Recap/updates Barb reviewed the board structure and committees. The By-Laws Committee includes Larry, Carolyn, and Ken. Ginny heads up the Nominating Committee. Christi now heads up the Membership Committee. We voted to accept the recommendation of the Membership Committee to have four levels of member - individual at $20, family at $30, senior/student at $15, and other. 2. Redstone Run Ginny discussed plans for the October 4 event. 3. Teacher contact Christi and the group discussed the topic mentioning Greenview Elementary, Cub Scouts, and Girl Scouts. 4. Giveaways We discussed options. 5. Raising funds for land conservation We discussed Goodsearch, Indians Concessions, and California Pizza Kitchen. Concerning grants we discussed the Fresh Water grant and AIG Honor Project. 6. Other Barb wants us to meet again to continue discussion of goal setting and strategic planning

Redstone Run Benefit - Oct. 4

Please let me know at jeanette.evans@sbcglobal.net if you have any questions about this invitation. This is open to the public.

Friends of Euclid Creek cordially invites you to 

Redstone Run Benefit 

An evening to support land conservation 

in the Euclid Creek watershed 

Friday, October 4th, 2013 

5:00 pm to 7:00pm 

Richmond Place Clubhouse 

481 Donna Dr. 

Richmond Hts., OH  44143 

$35 per person 

Complimentary if you have donated $150 or more. 

Live folk music by the Timberwolves 

Wine and cheese 

Tour of the property provided by shuttle 

Please RSVP by Friday, September 27,  2013 

by calling  (216) 481-4397  or 

Email :  barbpophal@aol.com 

Mail checks to:  FOEC 

P.O. Box 21384-0387 

South Euclid, OH 44121 

Refreshments courtesy of Trader Joe’s and Whole Foods

July meeting

We are still asking for donations for our current land acquisition initiatives that include property in Richmond Heights. Click HERE for more details about this property.    

Click    HERE    to access our  Donate  feature.  

JULY GENERAL MEETING 
Here are the details from Barb Holtz (FOEC President) about our July meeting. 

Hello Friends,

Our next regular meeting is Tuesday, July 2 at 6:30 p.m. at the South Euclid Community Center. If you have a program schedule for the year, you will see a field trip was planned for July. Change of plans!

It is important we meet to discuss two important items:

1. We will ask members present to vote on changing the annual election of the Board from July to November for this year only. By-laws changes will be presented later this year that may make a November election date permanent. However, by-laws changes deserve careful thought and consideration. For this reason, the Board is asking now for permission to change the election date for 2013 only.

2. If you would be interested in serving on the by-laws revision committee, we will be asking for volunteers at our July meeting. (You must be a current member, that is, have paid dues annually.)

After the business portion of our meeting is over, we will watch the film, Greenfire, about Aldo Leopold.

Here is a link if you would like to learn more about the movie:

 http://www.aldoleopold.org/greenfire/

I hope you will join us next week. It's good to stay in touch with each other and learn more about our watershed!

Peace, Barb Holtz

President

P.S. There will be no membership meeting in August. We'll gather together again on September 3rd.

JUNE STEERING COMMITTEE MEETING 
Barb Holtz called the meeting to order on June 19, 2013 at the South Euclid Library.  Present were Gary Bloom, Christi Carlson, Carolyn Suguichi, Judy Dearden, Jeanette Evans, Rick Evans, Ken M. Rapport, and Ginny Aveni.  We discussed the following.

. Wild Plant ID

By majority vote we agreed to support this grant proposal.

. Elections

Christi will ask at the July general meeting to move elections to November and for volunteers for the nominating committee.

. Bylaws 

Christi will ask at the July general meeting for volunteers to review the bylaws. We discussed having the Finance Committee review the bylaws.

. Membership

We discussed that a member is someone who pays dues annually as a rolling membership.

. Board Structure

We discussed Barb's handout. 

. Treasurer 

We voted unanimously for Rick Evans to fill the vacant Treasurer position and Ken M. Rapport to fill the Director vacancy.  

PAST LAND ACQUISITION INITIATIVE
Thank you to Frank Skala for providing the photos that show the Fragile Ecosystem sign that appears near the area FOEC helped to preserve and the dusty goldenrod that is in the ecologically sensitive meadow part of the this ecosystem.