Thank you to everyone who shopped at Bloomingfoods and opted to round up in April. Friends of Lake Monroe was the Positive Change recipient for the month of April. We want to thank you Bloomingfoods for this opportunity to support our initiatives. We received $10,094.23 from the positive change program.
Mark it with an "X"
(FLM Volunteers, Two Herons, and DNR work together to remove damaged floats)
Remnants of breakaway private and public dock floats dot the shores and banks of Lake Monroe. These unclaimed plastic orphans constitute both an eyesore and a hazard to our lake. In recent years the number of these unnatural intrusions have multiplied. It is not surprising to find numerous floats on short stretches of shoreline. Intense storms break these floats away from ramps and walkways to become near-eternal trash, unless collected. We want to thank all those involved to make this event a success: Bet and Rudy Savich, Chris Lubienski, Jim Krause, Keith Bobay, Krin Gallagher, Tom Gallagher, Tom and Phoebe Freeman, and Mary Madore. The May 2nd mission represents the first important step in the cleanup of this enduring challenge.
Friends of Lake Monroe is on the forefront of building a comprehensive plan for the management of this issue. For the moment, if you come across one of these docks, while boating or hiking, we ask that you mark it with a big X in neon orange paint for retrieval identification. Thank you for your membership and participation in Friends of Lake Monroe. Together we work to keep our water swimmable, fishable, and drinkable. The work continues!
Thanks to everyone who was able to join our public meeting on April 27th at the Monroe County Public Library! Dr. Eric Barefoot gave a great presentation about his research studying sediment movement in rivers and floodplains. He spoke about the challenges between balancing natural sediment flow and flooding with protecting our buildings and other infrastructure; the use of a variety of tools including satellites, drones, and DIY sensors to measure sediment movement; and the work he just started looking at sediment movement in a section of North Fork Salt Creek and its floodplain along the west end of Kent Road. The event was recorded by Community Access Television Services (CATS) and is available here: https://catstv.net/m.php?q=12379. The presentation starts at about 3:15 and the section about North Fork Salt Creek starts at 26:37.
FLM In the News
Check out these great articles and radio pieces about Friends of Lake Monroe! On April 24, volunteer Bet Savich gave a great pitch on WFHB for why she volunteers with Friends of Lake Monroe. On May 5th, Watershed Coordinator Maggie Sullivan appeared in a 30-minute radio interview on WFHB to discuss how Friends of Lake Monroe is keeping the lake clean. A followup story on WFHB featured Vic Kelson with City of Bloomington Utilities discussing the challenges to producing clean, safe, drinking water. On May 12th, Indiana Public Media (aka WTIU/WFIU) published an article about protecting water quality in Lake Monroe that featured several quotes from Board President Sherry Mitchell-Bruker. (The video version of the article is available here.) And last but not least, Sherry Mitchell-Bruker and Maggie Sullivan from FLM joined Vic Kelson from City of Bloomington Utilities, and Martha Miller from Monroe County Soil and Water Conservation District on WFIU's Noon Edition with Bob Zaltsberg and Laurie McRobbie to discuss protecting Bloomington's vital water source.
New "Clean Boater Pledge" Signs at Boat Ramps
While visiting the DNR boat ramps of Cutright, Paynetown, Allen’s Creek, Salt Creek, Fairfax, Moore’s Creek and Pine Grove, you may notice new eye-catching Clean Boater Pledge signs. The Monroe County Stormwater Program (an essential FLM partner and supporter) is working with the Indiana Department of Environmental Management to increase participation in The Clean Boater Pledge program. Boaters can scan the QR code on the sign to take the Clean Boater Pledge (https://in.accessgov.com/idem/Forms/Page/idem/indiana-clean-boater-pledge/). The Clean Boater Pledge is a list of best management practices boaters pledge to follow while enjoying Lake Monroe. Many of the recommended practices are quick and inexpensive:
Keep our waters free of litter by recycling or properly disposing of trash
Prevent spills of fuel and engine fluids by adopting proper watercraft fueling and maintenance practices
Stop the spread of aquatic invasive species by using Clean, Drain, Dry
Prevent discharges of sewage by using restrooms, pump outs, and dump stations
Protect sensitive shallow water habitats by obeying no-wake zones
Minimize other adverse impacts to the environment, including cleaning and winterizing watercraft in an environmentally sensitive manner
Photo credit: Photo of newly installed Clean Boater Pledge sign at Cutright boat ramp by Adam Rickert.
Cover Crops and other Conservation Practices
Field of cereal rye in Washington County. Photo Credit: Conservation Cropping Systems Initiative.
One of the conservation practices we fund through our Conservation Cost-Share Programis the use of cover crops. Cover crops are a secondary crop planted after the main crop (e.g. corn or soybeans) is harvested. The second crop doesn’t generate a product but it does help build soil health by reducing erosion, providing food for microorganisms in the soil, and building organic matter.
Two of the main threats to Lake Monroe are sediments and nutrients. Both are reduced through the use of cover crops which help hold the soil in place during the winter months. This photo of a demonstration done at the Brown County Soil & Water Conservation District Annual Meeting shows how runoff from land planted with cover crops is much clearer than runoff from bare soil. (Many thanks to Cara Bergschneider and Doris Scully with NRCS for running the demonstration!)
Soil Health Demonstration at Brown County SWCD Annual Meeting. Photo credit: Maggie Sullivan
While there are many plant species that can be used as cover crops, probably the most common in the Lake Monroe watershed is cereal rye. Cereal rye has super fibrous roots to improve soil stability and it also can be planted very late into the fall. This gives flexibility to farmers who harvest their crops late in the season or are so busy harvesting that it takes a few weeks to come back around to plant cover crops. Other popular cover crops include wheat, oats, radish, and clover.
If you know a farmer in the Lake Monroe watershed, please make sure they know about our Conservation Cost-Share Program. This program provides funding for conservation practices and is a great way for a farmer to try out something new like cover crops. Contact Maggie Sullivan at watershed@friendsoflakemonroe.org or 812-558-0217 for more information.
Kayak Trips
Kayak trips with David Rupp of IndiGo Birding Nature Tours are back this summer! These FLM member events are FREE and include the use of boats, paddles, PFDs and binoculars for those who need them – but they are limited to 10 members per trip. (Not a member? Join Today! Email questions to director@friendsoflakemonroe.org.) No experience is necessary. Participants should wear proper paddling attire and bring their own snacks and hydration. Dry bags are suggested for non-waterproof gear. There are four dates available this summer. Capacity is limited so register early using the links below
Another great way to stay involved is to join our shoreline cleanups at Paynetown State Recreation Area. Our April cleanup will be on a Sunday afternoon and then we will switch to Thursday evenings for the summer months. Please register so we can send an update if there are cancellations due to weather.
We are excited to announce our upcoming event for Lake Monroe Day. We are planning a fundraiser at Uplands Wood Shop on Sunday, September 17, 2023. Reserve some time from September 14 - 21 to get out and celebrate Lake Monroe with us.
Board Member Recruitment
The board needs a variety of skills, with a strong emphasis on development, fundraising, grant writing, and media expertise. We also encourage individuals connected to Lake Monroe and the surrounding community, cultural organizations, and folks who enjoy the outdoors. Board members are actively involved in organizational governance and expected to attend monthly board meetings and participate in some of the following: fundraising, financial contributions, serving as a board officer or joining a committee. Board members must agree to meet with the board once a month for two hours at least 8 times per year, and engage in supporting activities beyond regular board meetings. Friends of Lake Monroe values diversity and equal opportunity and strives to reflect these values in our board and our actions.
Friends of Lake Monroe is accepting rolling board member applications starting June 1, 2023. We have published our new board member application. Please find it on our website. We will be accepting applications on a rolling basis.
Volunteer Opportunities!
Many of you have become FLM members or have made a donation. Wouldn't you enjoy being a closer part of the group?
Lake Monroe Day. We are excited to announce that we will be organizing a Fundraiser on on Sunday, September 17, 2023 with a series of events leading up. Save the date for September 14 - 21 to join us in celebrating Lake Monroe! Contact Jim Krause to sign up to volunteer or donate a silent auction item at development@friendsoflakemonroe.org
Envelope Stuffing Event. Join us for coffee and bagels as we stuff envelopes! We will be sending out our membership renewal letters in the next few weeks. Reach out to Iris O'Donnell Bellisario if you're interested in volunteering for this. director@friendsoflakemonroe.org
Friends of Lake Monroe depends on members like you to keep our organization strong. Join today and enjoy one of the great member-only events we have planned this spring. Memberships are available at several levels:
Whether or not you are a member, you are also welcome to financially support FLM's work through a one-time donation here: https://friendsoflakemonroe.org/donate/.
