November News from Friends of Lake MonroeForestry Field Day Report and other updates
Fabulous Forestry Field Day
Many thanks to Mary Madore and Michael May for hosting a fabulous forestry field day on Wednesday October 8. We enjoyed beautiful weather as we discussed forest management strategies, admired photos of wildlife sightings, and walked the property to see their 40 new water bars.
Water bars are berms and/or swales built across trails to collect water and divert it off the trail. This helps reduce soil erosion that can occur when water runs straight down a trail, carrying sediment and creating a gully. Mary and Michael worked with contractor Nick Powell to use metal guard rails for their water bars.
While the most common water bars are made of dirt, using metal guard rails provides long-term durability with many kinds of trail traffic - hikers, ATVs, horses, etc. Maintenance is reduced to scooping out any sediment that accumulates in the metal channel (as compared to rebuilding dirt berms when they erode). Check out this great video created by Michael May, Jr. showing how the water bars were constructed.
Do you have ideas for future outreach? We would love to hear about upcoming events, community groups looking for speakers, or innovative ideas on how to increase public awareness of the issues facing Lake Monroe. Please contact Maggie at watershed@friendsoflakemonroe.org or 812-558-0217 with suggestions.
Septic Pumping Vouchers in Jackson and Brown Counties
We have expanded our Septic Maintenance Voucher Program to include Brown County as well as Jackson County. Apply today for 50% off your next septic tank pumping up to $200. Septic tanks should be pumped every 3-5 years to remove the solids and keep them working smoothly. Spread the word!
Soil & Water Conservation Cost-Share Program
We continue to accept applications for our Lake Monroe Watershed Conservation Cost-Share Program. This program funds soil and water conservation projects on agricultural and forested land. We still have about $17,000 in funding from our current 319 grant and anticipate another $180,000 in funding becoming available this winter.
Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) are minimum amounts that IRA and retirement plan account owners generally must withdraw annually starting with the year they reach age 72 (73 if you reach age 72 after Dec. 31, 2022). These distributions are taxable and can potentially bump you into a higher tax bracket. However, there is an alternative that some FLM supporters have used. A qualified charitable distribution (QCD) to a 501c3 organization like FLM is one way to avoid the tax penalty. Funds are transferred directly from an IRA to a qualified charitable organization. Unlike RMDs, QCDs are not taxable, and each individual (married or single) can donate up to $105,000 for tax year 2024 from their IRA. Before making a QCD, there are a couple of caveats:
Your IRA custodian must transfer the funds directly—and only to a 501(c)(3) organization (donor-advised funds aren't eligible).
You can't claim the QCD as a charitable deduction, but the distribution doesn't count as taxable income either.
It’s best to consult a CPA or tax advisor if this is an option you want to pursue.
Thank You Shoreline Volunteers!
Many thanks to all the volunteers who helped with our monthly shoreline cleanups at Paynetown this year. Special thanks to Richard Harris for organizing all our cleanups! We will take a break over the winter and start again in April.
Become a Member!
Friends of Lake Monroe depends on members like you to keep our organization strong. Join today to help us keep the lake drinkable, swimmable, and fishable. Individual membership is only $25 annually.
