Adopt-A-Stream Chemical Monitoring Certification on 3.19.11 @ Chattahoochee Nature Center

What is Adopt-A-Stream?

AAS is a unique effort to involve public and local communities in water quality protection. AAS is a Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Environmental Protection Division program designed to protect the quality of water of the 70,000 miles of streams and rivers in Georgia using citizen monitoring teams.

To adopt a section of a stream, river or lake, volunteers must attend a workshop hosted by one of the more than 50 trainers throughout the state. Group members must be recertified annually by their local trainer to continue monitoring their local waterway.

Chemical Monitoring

What do you monitor in Chemical Adopt-A-Stream?

"The basic tests are pH, dissolved oxygen, and temperature. Advanced tests include phosphates, nitrates, ammonia, alkalinity, and conductivity"

Why is it important to conduct chemical tests on your local waterway?

"All of the tests will give you a snapshot of the health of your local waterway. For instance, dissolved oxygen is needed for respiration, temperature is directly related to biological activity and pH measures the acidity or alkalinity of the water. Phosphates and nitrates are nutrients that cause algal blooms when present in excess"

How often do you need to conduct these chemical tests?

"Once a month"

Next Training:

Location: Chattahoochee Nature Center

When: Saturday, March 19, 2011 (10 am - 1 pm)

Contact: Sharon Smith - sharon.smith@fultoncountyga.gov

Roswell Riverwalk Phases IV & V Open House Community Input Meeting at Riverside Landing on 3.10.11

Andrew Telker & Mayor of Roswell Georgia Jere Wood at the Notice
of Public Information Open House Roswell Riverwalk Phases IV & V
 at Riverside Landing on 3.10.11

The City of Roswell Georgia, in conjunction with the National Park Service, held a public

information Open House to present alignment options for the proposed Roswell Riverwalk Trail Connection Project.

Phases IV and V of the Riverwalk Trail (Willeo Road Trail) seeks to provide connectivity between the existing trail system on Azalea Drive and Willeo Park

located near the Fulton and Cobb County Border.

Awesome Presentation by David Smith, a biologist from Ecological Solutions & Steven Rowe, Landscape Architect of AEC and lead of the Riverwalk project.  I have a Video Clip of the Presentation it is 15:15 in length.  An overview is explained about the Proposed Riverwalk Boardwalk and Pedestrian Paths.  Conceptual Images are shown on the Right.

The Mayor Jere Wood was in attendence, as well as several City of Roswell Council Members, including:  Betty Price , Becky Wynn, Kent Igleheart.  The National Park Service was in Full Force as well, with Patty Wissinger, Rick Slade, and other Park Rangers and Employees present. 

I felt right at home surrounded by Landscape Architects, Environmentalists, Park Rangers,  Civic leaders, and Community Members.  What an insightful group.  Considerations to be most noted are the sound impacts on the Local BioDiversity of the SITE, and How Pedestrian Activity may adversly affect the Ecology ("especially the 100lb snapping turtles").   Several Folks felt it was a Great ammenity to our community, and promote outdoor activities, connected communities, and lower automobile use.

Total Cost of the proposed project is 3.5 Million,with a 15-20 year Boardwalk Lifespan.  The City of Roswell will have to maintainthe Riverwalk, operating under the guidelines &  jurisdiction of the National Park System.  Additional Trail Police Patrol and Surveliance Costs have not been figured or included in this talley. One such Community Suggested Survalience Cameras, and I thought, oh geeze, you can't even get away from it all in, even in the WOODS... sheesh.  No Plans for Surveliance cameras as of yet, cost being the largest hinderance.

The Public is invited to provide feedback on the proposed alternatives that will be used during the Environmental Assessment (EA) process to select a preferred alternative. Contact Joe Glover or Jeff Pruitt, City of Roswell, at 770-641-3705, or Rick Slade, National Park Service, at 678-538-1321. Or Email your comments, regarding this project mailto:RRPD@roswellgov.com.

Email me at andrew@telkerdesign.com for a Copy of the 15 minute Presentation Video. NOW Watch This Short 33 Sec Video Clip of the Mayor adressing the community members:


"We take Great Pride in Our River, and appreciate our Partnership with the National Park Service" - Roswell Mayor Jere Wood

Adopt-A-Stream Chemical Monitoring Workshop Training on 3.19.11 @ Chattahoochee Nature Center

What is Adopt-A-Stream?

AAS is a unique effort to involve public and local communities in water quality protection. AAS is a Georgia Department of Natural Resources, Environmental Protection Division program designed to protect the quality of water of the 70,000 miles of streams and rivers in Georgia using citizen monitoring teams.

To adopt a section of a stream, river or lake, volunteers must attend a workshop hosted by one of the more than 50 trainers throughout the state. Group members must be recertified annually by their local trainer to continue monitoring their local waterway.

Chemical Monitoring
What do you monitor in Chemical Adopt-A-Stream?
"The basic tests are pH, dissolved oxygen, and temperature. Advanced tests include phosphates, nitrates, ammonia, alkalinity, and conductivity"
 
Why is it important to conduct chemical tests on your local waterway?
"All of the tests will give you a snapshot of the health of your local waterway. For instance, dissolved oxygen is needed for respiration, temperature is directly related to biological activity and pH measures the acidity or alkalinity of the water. Phosphates and nitrates are nutrients that cause algal blooms when present in excess"
 
How often do you need to conduct these chemical tests?
"Once a month"

Next Training:
Location:    Chattahoochee Nature Center
When:         Saturday, March 19, 2011 (10 am - 1 pm)
Contact:     Sharon Smith - sharon.smith@fultoncountyga.gov

Big Creek Wetlands Work Day "CLEAN-UP" on 3.5.11 --- RAINED OUT

Big Creek Park Wetland Work Day "CleanUp" on March 5, 3011 was RAINED OUT today.  Well 55F and Rainy isnt the best outdooor working weather. I guess sometimes all you can do is show up and try. Somedays you get good weather, and some days you don't.

RESCHEDULED: (3.12.11)
Join Keep Roswell Beautiful to help clean up Big Creek Wetlands Park.   The days' activities include: litter removal, planting appropriate plants, trees, flowers, and general wetlands restoration.

Location:   Big Creek Wetlands Park 1600 Old Alabama Road Roswell, GA 30076
Bring:        Work gloves, shovels, rakes, clippers [blanket or chair for picnic lunch]
Date:          Saturday March 12th 9am-12noon.