February 2010 update

Welcome to the February 2010 update
If you have content for this update, please let me know at jeanette.evans@sbcglobal.net.

Some of the items covered in this update include:
* More about our meetings
* Adopt-A-BeachTM update
* Columbine is more shade loving and a good choice for rain gardens - the image comes from http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/

More about our February and March meetings
Thank you to all who made our February meeting happen. Our March meeting starts at 7pm at the South Euclid Community Center and features James Kastelic, former Deputy Director of Community Planning for the Cuyahoga County Planning Commission. He is now a planner for Cleveland Metroparks. His talk is about the Environmental Education Collaborative and plans for the opening of the Cleveland Lakefront Nature Preserve at Dike 14.

Stay tuned for more details about our April and May meetings. The May meeting is to be at the Community Room at South Euclid City Hall . The room is at the top of the stairs on the right. Entrance is through the back door (Police entrance). If anyone needs to use the elevator, ask for its use through the Police Department.

Upcoming meetings and events
New England aster is a good choice for rain gardens and more sun loving. The image comes from http://www.npwrc.usgs.gov/

Save Friday, April 16 for the Beachwood Green Dream Event with a Euclid Creek Watershed Program and FOEC booth - Beachwood Community Center from 1-7pm.

Save Wed. May 12 for the Rain Barrel Workshop at Greenwood Farms 6:30-8pm in Richmond Heights. Contact Claire Posius for Euclid Creek watershed winter/spring 2010 meetings that including rain barrel workshops. Contact Claire at 216-524-6580 x16 or cposius@cuyahogaswcd.org. Use a rain barrel to recycle rain water for backyard or garden watering while saving energy by not running a spigot.

Adopt-A-BeachTM Update

Thank you to Mary K. Evans for providing this information.

Upcoming Ohio Alliance for the Great Lakes Happenings announces Adopt-A-Beach™ Training and Get Together

Keeping our beaches clean and healthy takes caring people in our communities working together. To thank current adopters and to welcome new adopters, we invite you to attend our annual training. The training will include a review of the Adopt-a-Beach™ data collection forms and protocol, including a discussion of some recent changes. This is your opportunity to ensure that you are collecting data in a standardized method. Come to one of our training sessions listed and meet others that share your zeal for the Great Lakes. New and returning Adopt-a-Beach™ teams can choose a training date that’s convenient for your schedule and location. Refreshments and a light snack will be served. To R.S.V.P. contact April Mather at 216-630-8140, or amather@greatlakes.org.

* Thursday March 18th from 6-8 pm, Lake Erie Nature and Science Center, 28728 Wolf Rd., Bay Village, OH 44140

* Wednesday April 7th from 6-8 pm at the Arts Collinwood Community Center 15605 Waterloo Road, Cleveland, OH 44110. Enter through the cafe and go to the back for the community center.

For those of you not located near a training site, on-line training materials are available at www.greatlakes.org/adoptabeach

For a list of beach visits open to the public visit: http://www.greatlakes.org/Page.aspx?pid=970

Adopt-a-Beach™ is the Alliance for the Great Lakes’ largest volunteer program and is present on 4 of the 5 Great Lakes. More than 7,000 volunteers including schools, businesses, individuals and families participate in the program. Teams catalogue and remove litter, and also complete a beach health assessment form that includes science based observation of beach conditions and water testing. Information collected by teams is entered into our online database system and can be used for education about conditions at their beach, shared with local beach authorities, and used to identify areas where volunteers can make improvements of beach conditions. For more information, go to: www.greatlakes.org/adoptabeach


With it being February, look out for ground hogs (image from wikipedia).

Ask a naturalist - what rain garden plants do deer not like?
Thank you to naturalist Barb Holtz for answering our questions. Please let me know at jeanette.evans@sbcglobal.net if you have a question for Barb.

Question:
What rain garden plants do deer not like?

Answer:
I would answer this question the same way I answered the more general "what plants don't deer like" question. I think if deer are hungry enough they'll eat just about anything.

Question:
New England aster, columbine, and Ohio goldenrod appear in the rain garden brochure we got at the last FOEC meeting as native plants. What do you think of these three?

Answer:
They are beautiful plants. I have them all in my yard and all are left alone by the deer.


New England aster is purple and tall. Ohio goldenrod is yellow and a medium height. The aster and goldenrod are more sun loving.

Columbine is more of a shade plant. The native one is red with some yellow and is short.

January 2010 update

Welcome to the January 2010 update
If you have content for this update, please let me know at jeanette.evans@sbcglobal.net.

Some of the items covered in this update include:
* Meeting summary and upcoming winter/spring 2010 events
* Ask a naturalist - what plants do deer not like?
* Sun Messenger covers FOEC awards

Meeting summary
Our January meeting featured FOEC treasurer Ken Messinger-Rapport on the NEORSD sewer district proposed stormwater management program.

Ken addressed watershed management and how this connects with the NEORSD.

The image of Lake Erie as a watershed comes from http://neorsd.org/whatisawatershed.php

Upcoming Meetings
Plan on attending our monthly meeting on Tuesday, February 2 at the South Euclid Community Center at 7:00PM. The presentation is from Frank Greenland, Watershed Manager of the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District, NEORSD providing an overview of the Sewer District's Stormwater Management Plan.

Our March meeting features James Kastelic, former Deputy Director of Community Planning for the Cuyahoga County Planning Commission. He is now a planner for Cleveland Metroparks. His talk is about the Environmental Education Collaborative and plans for the opening of the Cleveland Lakefront Nature Preserve at Dike 14. The Dike 14 winter image comes from http://www.dike14.org/images/DSCN0016-2005.gif

Other upcoming events
The http://www.marc.org site shows a typical upper drain installation for a rain barrel.
Please contact Claire Posius about rain barrel workshops. Reach her at 216-524-6580 x16 or cposius@cuyahogaswcd.org. Attend a rain barrel workshop in Highland Heights on Tuesday, Feb. 23, 6:30-8pm. Another workshop is to be Wed., May 12, at Greenwood Farm, Richmond Hts., 6:30-8pm.

More on the holiday party
President Fran Hogg appears in the photo in the front center with some of the attendees.

Thank you to Frank Skala for the photo. Thank you also to all who helped make this fund raiser event happen.

Thank you to the following who provided donations: Fran Hogg, Ken Messinger-Rapport, Barb Pophal, Larry and Chris McFadden, Mary Connell, Heinen's, Connie Herron, Ginny Aveni, Botanical Gardens, Richard and Jeanette Evans, Mayor Geogine Welo, Mary Kay Evans, Wild Birds, CT Consultants, Abuelo's Flavor of Mexico, Kathy Schaefer.

Ask a naturalist - what plants do deer not like?
If you have a question for FOEC member and naturalist Barb Holtz, please let me know at jeanette.evans@sbcglobal.net and we can include it in a future update. Barb is the manager/naturalist at Look About Lodge in Cleveland Metroparks. I asked her what native plants (good for watershed health) - that deer do not like - would be good choices for our landscapes.

Question:
What plants do deer not like?

Answer:
Barb answered: '"When it comes to deer, folks need to know that deer have defined territories. Just because we build houses or businesses in those territiories doesn't mean the deer are going to leave. When we rid an area of native flora/habitat (like meadows and forest) and replace it with bountiful landscaping, it's like giving deer a bowl of candy.

We have created through landscaping a wonderful feast or smorgasboard for deer. Hard to blame them for taking advantage of a "plate" so nicely laid out for them! Then we fertiIize to make our plants even more attractive and delectable. I don't believe there is any plant that is 100% deer proof. I think we just need to do the best we can and realize our yards are part of nature, not separate from it. "

http://www.ohioprairienursery.com/ shows this picture of coreopsis. Barb is working with the Native Plant Promotion Committee that is part of the Lake Erie Alleghany Partnership (LEAP) on a recommended native plant list for NE Ohio gardens. In that list the group plans to list plants liked by dear. Please stay tuned as Barb provides us with the final list.

Barb found a list from her files on what deer do not like in a local landscape that includes coreopsis, small white aster, blazing star, great blue lobelia, beebalm, beardtongue, columbine, mint, and false foxglove.

Plants at the top of the invasive plant list are garlic mustard, purple loosestrife, multifloral rose, buckthorn, phragmites, honeysuckle - amur, tartarian, morrow, autumn and Russian olive. Invasive plants widely sold at nurseries include: burning bush, Japanese barberry, tree of heaven, Norway maple, myrtle/vinca, porcelainberry, Japanese spiraea, crown-vetch, Asian bittersweet, European cranberry bush, privet, yellow flag iris, pachysandra (the non native ones), and English ivy.

More on rain gardens and plants to help maintain watershed health
The image of the native Christmas fern comes from http://www.dnr.state.oh.us which states that ferns have been part of Ohio landscapes for millions of years, predating both dinosaurs and flowering plants. The Christmas fern is found in nearly every Ohio county and is a welcome sign year round.

Rain gardens help maintain watershed heath, keep water clean, filter runoff, alleviate flooding problems, and provide habitat for wildlife.For an image of a sample rain garden with native Ohio plants comes see http://ohioprairienursery.com/.

More about wildlife in the watershed and Ohio
As explained at http://www.dnr.state.oh.us sea gulls appear along Lake Erie throughout winter and are some of Ohio’s most watchable wildlife. According to cleveland.com/neobirding "contrary to popular opinion, the birding opportunities actually improve in Northeast Ohio in winter."

You may have seen one of these - a blue jay - recently.


More reminders about watershed health

I'm still thinking about how at our November meeting, Claire Posius noted that some of her work deals with good practices in our landscapes.

1. Do not dump in storm drains.
2. Fertilize sparingly and caringly.
3. Properly dispose of household hazardous waste.
4. Clean up after your pet.
5. Practice good car care.
6. Landscape with native plants.
7. Conserve water.

Friends of Euclid Creek hand out awards for work on behalf of the waterway - Sun Messenger article of December 07, 2009 - By Jeff Piorkowski
From http://blog.cleveland.com/sunmessenger/

Fran Hogg, president of Friends of Euclid Creek, was on hand Monday at the Lyndhurst City Council meeting to present the city's service director, Rick Glady, with the organization's "Stewardship Award."

Hogg said Glady was honored for several reasons, including Lyndhurst's change to automated recycling, his efforts to revise the county's solid waste guidelines, the natural wildflower bed planted at Brainard Park, and his interest in the installation and maintenance of rain gardens.The Friends of the Euclid Creek's stated purpose is to promote the social welfare of the area by creek preservation, to educate people as to the creek's importance, and to bring together the cities that are stakeholders in the creek's welfare.

Glady was given his award at the council meeting, while other awards were dispersed at a Dec. 1 ceremony at the Mayfield Village Community Center.

Also the recipient of a Stewardship Award was Beachwood Mayor Merle Gordon.

The "Volunteer of the Year Award" went to Highland Heights resident Jeanette Evans.

The "Tom Jenkins Award," named for the organization's founder and awarded to the Friends' member whose actions are most emblematic of Jenkins, was Mary K. Evans, of South Euclid.

- Posting last updated Jan. 28, 2009 - please check back for the final draft and updates

December 2009 update

Welcome to the December 2009 update
If you have content for this update, please let me know at jeanette.evans@sbcglobal.net.

Some of the items covered in this update include:

* Thanks for the holiday party, fundraiser, and recognition
* Thanks for the VFW hike
* Ideas about trees at the holidays
* See you in 2010 - Happy New Year!

Thanks for the holiday party - and a great end to a great year

Our festive annual fundraiser and holiday party took place Tuesday, December 1. Thanks go to Frank Skala for the photo that shows President Fran Hogg (front, center) with some of the holiday party attendees.

Barb Pophal deserves special thanks for helping to organize this wonderful annual event. To all who contributed to the silent auction, raffles, and pot luck - a thank you also. A special heartfelt personal thanks comes for your recognition. Congratulations to Mary K. Evans, Mayor Merle Gordon of Beachwood, and Rick Gladys, service director for Lyndhurst, for their recognition.

Thank you to the Little Known String Duet with Donna Lader on guitar and Joe Abate on mandolin.

Happy New Year! See you in 2010

Plan to attend our meeting on Jan. 5, 2010 at the South Euclid Community Center.
The address is 1370 Victory Drive.

Thank you for the VFW Hike - 29512 White Road, Willoughby Hills

Special thanks go to all involved in the November VFW hike in this great location in the Euclid Creek watershed. Ron Puera, FOEC member and VFW Post Commander headed up the adventure with exploration of the creeks, beaver ponds, and woods in this large and unique tract of land.

The habitat of the American beaver (http://www.ohiohistorycentral.org) includes ponds, lakes, or slow-moving streams bordered by stands of small trees. January-February is their breeding period. Their adult weight is 30-70 pounds. They are master dam builders.

More thoughts on our November meeting

Our November meeting featured Claire Posius providing us with an update on Euclid Creek projects. Claire works as a watershed conservation planner at the Cuyahoga Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD). Here are some recommendations for helping with watershed health.

1. Do not dump in storm drains.
2. Fertilize sparingly and caringly.
3. Properly dispose of household hazardous waste.
4. Clean up after your pet.
5. Practice good car care.
6. Landscape with native plants.
7. Conserve water.

She reminded us that "it all drains to Lake Erie" and flushing old medicines can be dangerous. Antibiotics, hormones, and other drugs can appear in sewer lines and waterways.

Rain gardens help maintain watershed health
The image comes from
http://cuyahogaswcd.org/grantfunded-raingardens.htm which explains that rain gardens help maintain watershed heath, keep water clean by filtering runoff, alleviating flooding problems, and providing habitat for wildlife.

http://cuyahogaswcd.org/grantfunded-raingardens.htm

More on rain gardens and native plant use

The image of a sample rain garden with native Ohio plants comes from http://ohioprairienursery.com.

The image of a butterfly-hummingbird garden with native Ohio plants comes from http://ohioprairienursery.com.

The image of the dwarf goldenrod - another good choice - comes from http://ohioprairienursery.com.



Tips on using a living, rooted (potted or balled) tree

Here are some ideas from http://pickyourownchristmastree.org.

1. Keep the tree in a shaded area or a unheated garage until it is brought inside.


2. Keep the soil in the ball or pot moist until well after it is transplanted after Christmas. A frozen ball need not be watered if the crown is shaded and protected.


3. Lift and carry the tree by the ball or pot, not the top.


4. Keep the tree in the house no longer than about one week.


5. If possible, keep room that the tree is in cool (to help prevent it from starting to bud out)


6. Have the tree's planting hole dug before the soil freezes and keep the fill dirt thawed. The hole should be 4 times the size of the root ball. If the dirt was heavy clay or poor sand, be sure to improve it with amendments (manure, grass clippings, ground leaves, compost, etc.) Evergreens like an acid soil, so don't add lime.


7. Remove packing paper, sawdust and binding materials when planting the tree. Stake the tree for its first year, if possible.
   

More wildlife images from Ohio watershed areas (http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/)

November 2009 update

Welcome to the November 2009 update
If you have a contribution or input for this update, please let me know at jeanette.evans@sbcglobal.net.

Some of the items covered in this update include:

* November meeting recap
* Upcoming events
* Save Tuesday, December 1 for our holiday party
* FOEC member writes Ohio Senate Bill
* More on the Dike 14 Nature Preserve

The image is from http://www.cuyahogaswcd.org/.



November meeting recap

• Our November meeting took place the first Tuesday in November at the South Euclid Community Center.
  
• Claire Posius provided us with an update on Euclid Creek projects. Claire works as a watershed conservation planner at the Cuyahoga Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) at http://www.cuyahogaswcd.org/.
  
• Contact Claire at 216 524 6580 x16 or cposius@cuyahogaswcd.org for details about Euclid Creek projects.The mission of the Cuyahoga SWCD to promote conservation of land and aquatic resources in a developed environment through stewardship initiatives, education programs, and technical assistance.
• Claire discussed the goals of the Euclid Creek Watershed program. She explained about the dam removal project on the East branch of the Euclid Creek and other projects that are top priorities for the coming year.
  

Upcoming events

Sat., Nov. 7 - VFW Hike - 10AM - 29512 White Road, Willoughby Hills

• Get ready to visit another great location in the Euclid Creek watershed.
• Join the adventure of a guided tour of the VFW grounds on White Road.
• Ron Puera, FOEC member and VFW Post Commander will lead us on an exploration of the creeks, beaver ponds, and woods in this large and unique tract of land.
• Don't miss this special invitation to explore the property.
• This is on the South side of White Road between Bishop and Rockefeller about 1500 feet West of Rockefeller. The driveway is marked with 4-foot high stone posts and a VFW sign. Take the long gravel driveway to the parking lot where we will gather. Plan to be there 10AM sharp. The hike should take about an hour.
• We should be done by 11:30. This is a rain or shine event.
• Regular walking-in-the woods shoes are fine unless it is especially wet.

Save Tuesday, December 1 for our festive holiday fundraiser

• Annual FOEC Holiday Party, pot luck dinner, and fund raiser
• Mayfield Village Hall - 6621 Wilson Mills Rd
  (NW corner of Wilson Mills and SOM, behind Mayfield Village Fire Dept.)
• Please contact Barb Pophal 216-481-4397 on what you can provide for the pot luck.
• Please provide one or more donations for door prizes.
• Doors open at 6:30. Dinner starts at 7:00.
• The $20 door charge covers dinner and drinks.
  Make checks payable to Friends of Euclid Creek
  For a response card please contact Jeanette at jeanette.evans@sbcglobal.net
  RSVP by Nov. 25th. Silent raffle. Good music. Good food. Raffle prizes.
  Great cause! Great company!
  

The image of American Holly comes from the http://www.wildflower.org/ gallery.

Save Tuesday, December 1 for our holiday party!

FOEC member writes Ohio Senate Bill

At our November meeting, Fran Hogg noted that FOEC Treasurer Ken Messinger-Rapport worked with Senator Tim Grendell on a bill in the Ohio Senate.

Ken is law director for the Northeast Ohio Gas Accountability Project (NEOGAP). He requested at our November meeting that we consider asking our state senators to support Grendell’s bill 196 and oppose Niehaus bill 165. Ken described how the Niehaus bill could lead to practices that are hazardous to the Euclid Creek watershed. Grendell's bill bans drilling in residential neighborhoods unless local residents approve. Ken explained that Grendell's bill could lead to better protection of the environment and Euclid Creek watershed.

Please contact Ken if you have any questions.

Rain gardens help maintain watershed health

The image comes from
http://cuyahogaswcd.org/grantfunded-raingardens.htm which explains that rain gardens help maintain watershed heath, keep water clean by filtering runoff, alleviate flooding problems, and provide habitat for wildlife.


At our November meeting, Claire Posius notes that some of her work deals with determining better practices in our lawns and landscapes. Some of her recommendations:

• Use a rain barrel
• Landscape with native plants
• Mow high and let it lie
• Manage pet waste properly
• Dispose of expired medicine properly

More thoughts on the Dike 14 nature preserve

Our September meeting concerned the Dike 14 nature preserve where individuals identified over 280 species of birds, numerous butterflies, 16 species of mammals (red fox, coyote, mink, deer), two species of reptiles, 26 Ohio plant species (wildflowers, grasses), and nine species of trees and shrubs. The coyote track image comes from Ohio.gov.

The coyote image comes from Ohio.gov.

Good non-invasive choices for landscapes

A coneflower is a good choice (image from http://ohioprairienursery.com).


Black-eyed susans make the list of non-invasive plants.


The spicebush image comes from ohio.gov and is another good choice.










The image of a dwarf goldenrod - another good choice - comes from http://ohioprairienursery.com.



Are Eastern Hemlock trees native to Ohio?

According to http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/ the Eastern Hemlock is a popular landscape tree found in urban areas throughout the state of Ohio. However, as a native tree, it is only found in the eastern half of Ohio, primarily in Appalachia.

Eastern Hemlock is native to southern Canada, the northeastern United States, and all of the Appalachian Mountains down to Georgia. In the wild, it thrives on the north slopes of hills and mountains or tucked into ravines, where there is more shade, cooler conditions, and more moisture in the acidic, organic, well-drained soils of slopes.


Some photos of note

http://photos.cleveland.com/photogallery/2009/03/fall_euclid_creek_metropark.html



Some more about wildlife in Ohio



The Eastern gray squirrel graphic comes from http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/ .

http://www.flipseekllc.com/wildohio2008bird.html shows common birds of Ohio. The American robin is one of Ohio's most abundant breeding birds.


The American tree sparrow is a northern species that visits the United States in the winter. The American tree sparrow can tolerate very harsh winters and low temperatures if the food supply is good. The image comes from http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/



The image of the Canada goose comes from Ohio.gov.
See http://ourohio.org/home-gardens/animals/other-animals/too-many-canada-geese/
which states that the Canada goose is native to Ohio and that Canada geese were not common in the state during the first half of the 20th century. Efforts by federal and state wildlife officials beginning in the 1950s brought populations of Canada geese back from near extinction. Increases in wetlands habitat and a proliferation of urban areas where hunting is not permitted has resulted in a present-day abundance of Canada geese.

October 2009 update

Welcome to the October 2009 update

If you have content for this update, please let me know at jeanette.evans@sbcglobal.net.

Some of the items covered in this update include:

* October meeting recap
* What is the Dike 14 Nature Preserve?
* Save Tuesday, December 1 for our holiday party
* Thank you to our Lyndhurst Home Days volunteers
* Mayfield Country Club hikers happily brave the elements
* FOEC members run in November election

October meeting recap

Our October meeting took place Tuesday, October 6 at the South Euclid Community Center. Barbara Martin and Ken Vinciquerra of the Dike 14 Nature Preserve Committee treated us to the presentation Is the relocation of the Cleveland Port to East 55th Street in the public's interest?

What is the Dike 14 nature preserve?

Photo from http://www.dike14.org/

The Dike 14 nature preserve is an 88-acre former dredge disposal site. It is now a wildlife area at the northern end of Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.

Over the years, the Dike 14 nature preserve has become naturalized and provides an opportunity for access to Lake Erie and a diversity of plants and wildlife that includes birds that either make their home in or use the area as a rest stop during migration. http://www.thebutterflysite.com/ohio-butterflies.shtml provides the photo of a monarch butterfly which is on the list of those spotted in Cuyahoga county.

Citizen scientists have identified over 280 species of birds, numerous butterflies, 16 species of mammals (red fox, coyote, mink, deer), two species of reptiles, 26 Ohio plant species (wildflowers, grasses), and nine species of trees and shrubs. The red fox image comes from the ODNR Division of Wildlife web site which states that the red fox is one of two fox species in Ohio.

Upcoming events and congratulations

Sat., Oct. 10 from 11am to Noon
Rain Garden Maintenance Training
Brainard School Rain Garden in outfield of ball field
Contact Claire Posius (216 524 6580 x16 or cposius@cuyahogaswcd.org) for details.

Thursday, Oct. 22
6 to 8:30 PM
Soil and Water Conservation District Dinner and Annual Meeting
Contact Claire Posius for details.

Tuesday, Nov. 3
7 PM - Regular monthly meeting
Claire Posius discusses projects that are part of the Euclid Creek watershed.
http://photos.cleveland.com/photogallery/2009/03/fall_euclid_creek_metropark.html


Tuesday, December 1
Annual FOEC Holiday Party and pot luck dinner
Mayfield Village Hall - 6621 Wilson Mills Rd (NW corner of Wilson Mills and SOM
Please contact Barb Pophal 216-481-4397 on what you can provide for the pot luck.
Please provide one or more donations for door prizes.

Congratulations again to our new Vice President Frank Skala and new Board of Directors members who include:

• Steve Albro
• Lou Drasler
• Larry McFadden
• Kathy Schaefer
• Carolyn Sugiuchi

Thank you to Lyndhurst Home Days volunteers

FOEC had a booth at Lyndhurst Home Days, which took place September 11 at Lyndhurst City Park.

Thanks go out to Larry McFadden for organizing the volunteers who spent time at the booth and participated in this fun activity.

In talking to people who came up to the booth, volunteers at the booth saw appreciation for the work that FOEC does.

Mayfield Country Club hikers happily brave the elements

Thank you to all involved in the wonderful hike on September 29. A special thank you goes to Fran Hogg for organizing this learning event. Over a dozen people enjoyed the walk along the Euclid Creek at this beautiful golf setting. We braved the wet and colder weather with enthusiasm and good spirits.



Thoughts about non-invasive plants in landscapes

As I think about landscaping, I tell myself I should use non-invasive plants. At the Lyndhurst Home Days this year at the FOEC booth, we had a flier with a list of invasive and non-invasive plants. We are encouraged in the flier to use non-invasive plants in our landscape. I decided to think more about using plants in the flier - like, for example, goldenrod and coneflowers - and not using another - English ivy.


Goldenrod makes the list as a non-invasive plant. http://www.gpnc.org/goldenro.htm provides an image and interesting bits of information about the plant. It is a candidate to think about placing in a landscape. A coneflower is a good choice also.

English ivy is one of the invasive plants listed. The image comes from http://www.nps.gov/plants/ALIEN/fact/hehe1.htm which discourages its use in landscapes.







FOEC members run in November election

Just a reminder that Cathy Murphy is a member for FOEC. She is running in Ward 1 in Highland Heights for re-election to city council.

Please let me know at jeanette.evans@sbcglobal.net if you are a member of FOEC and running in the November election.

Save Tuesday, December 1 for our holiday party

• Stay tuned as we put together the details of our annual holiday party.
• Thanks go to Barb Pophal for organizing this much anticipated activity.
• Please contact her with what you can bring for the pot luck.
• Mayfield Village Hall is the location.
• We welcome donations for door prizes.

The image of American Holly comes from the http://www.wildflower.org/ gallery.

The image of the red maple comes from http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/trees/maple_red/ which states that this is a tree located throughout all of Ohio, found naturally in moist areas of open woodlands and more commonly along creeks and bottomlands where the soil is constantly moist to wet. In urban areas, it is abundantly found as a popular shade tree, noted for its brilliant red fall color.