GREAT VW sponsored workshop on Sapelo Island!

Thanks to VW and our teacher leader, Jim Watson, we had a fantastic workshop on Sapelo Island. Check out the prezi and watch for more pictures. THANKS, VW!!

Prezi Link:
http://prezi.com/9jbvqbtqgph3/?utm_campaign=share&utm_medium=copy&rc=ex0share

Thanks to USXPress and all our Bonnaroo Volunteers!

WHAT A WEEK!!  We started this week in the 95 degree sun working with Clean Vibes on our REcovery of reusable goods at Bonnaroo.  The rest of the week, we welcomed lots of new visitors to the shop and put together more tents than anyone thought possible!  Thanks so much to the volunteers who helped us in Manchester and at the shop, Manning, Mary Catherine, Rita, Mike H, Ginger, Michael, Rijn, Wenona, Heidi and Adeline, Corinne, Caleb, Vanessa (all the way from Bogota!!)  Bob, Cierra, Katie, Lizzie, Mary Taylor, India, Sean, and ESPECIALLY the amazing ladies, Mollie and Berry who always help coordinate this cleanup!!  MC, DJ, Manning, Caleb, Vanessa, and Natalie really helped out at the shop as well and Tyler coordinated volunteers.  Here’s the link from usxpress about our partnership: http://www.usxpress.com/Press-Room/News/Article-35.aspx. We couldn’t have done it without you all!

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK  YOU!!!

MesoAmerican Reef 2015

The 2015 report on MesoAmerican Reef Health shows some progress, but many sites are still in critical condition.  The MAR has more protected areas and more herbivorous fish, very important to control the algae that competes with the coral cover.  Get the info for yourself:  http://www.healthyreefs.org/cms/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/MAR-EN-small.pdf

Mountain Creek Water Keepers at Skyuka Hall (formerly Scenic Land School)

About seven years ago, maybe even more, I had the honor of first bringing Kids for Clean Water activities to the then Scenic Land School.  I think I learned more than the kids during that first experience. This is an incredibly special place.  When we started working on further protecting Mountain Creek through stormwater green infrastructure, this was the school on which our model was based.  Nearly five years ago, we were awarded a non point source pollution abatement grant through the Tennessee Department of Agriculture.  With grant funds and matching, the grant totaled $153,000!!!  This week, we will celebrate the GRAND OPENING of a nearly one acre stormwater wetland partially designed by the Scenic Land School children with lots of help from Joe Sawyer, Leslie Jakobs, Mike Price, Matt Stovall and Matt Hamilton.  It all started with the kids.  And while the stated function is to treat stormwater running off the Four Squares parking lot and buildings, the wetland will really be the most amazing outdoor classroom for the now Skyuka Hall children as well as the greater community.  And everyone downstream will benefit.  The students even made a presentation to Bill Raines, owner of the property, about what they wanted to see in the wetland.  Their prime wish was for frogs and salamanders.  This spring we have seen thousands of tadpoles!!!  Congratulations to Mr. Raines for persevering through the ups and downs of this process to become a pioneer in our community for retro fitting with green infrastructure!!

Caribbean Beach Party this FRIDAY!!

Come join us for some Caribbean fun at the Bessie Smith Hall this Friday, May 1st.  Calypso band with steel drum music and good Caribbean food from Mrs. B’s Reggae Cafe, Dish T’ Pass, and Tom Kale’s amazing cooking skills!!  and yes, there will be rum.  and other libations, even a delicious and healthy fruit punch!

Wear your favorite tropical dress and come ready to have fun!

IWECO: Integrating Watersheds and Ecosystems in the Caribbean!

Caribbean SEA is excited and proud to be a regional partner in the IWeco project!!  It will focus on positive watershed change in communities across the Caribbean!

“In recognition of World Earth Day and following the announcement of the approval of the GEF IWEco Project, UNEP is delighted to share this video announcing the Project’s approval. The project will now enter its inception phase.
The video can also be accessed through our YoutubechannelFacebook and Twitter. Please feel free to share the good news. ” Chris Corbin UNEP Jamaica

Vote for the best water idea ever!

Best Water Idea icon-2 600pxIn honor of World Water Week, the Stockholm World Water Institute is asking for nominations for the Best Water Idea of All Time.

I think I have to vote for the toilet……

Save Water, Drink Wine February 7th

Save the date and invite your friends! The Barn Nursery is again opening its doors for us to celebrate the need for clean water across the world! Join us for Save Water, Drink Wine at 6pm on Saturday, February 7th in the greenhouses of the Barn Nursery! Sample wines from Dahlonega to Argentina thanks to Panoram Imports, Horizon Wine and Spirits, and Three Sisters, Wolf Mountain, and Cavender Creek Vineyards in Dahlonega!#savewaterdrinkwine15

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Take your kids OUTSIDE!!

Project Learning Tree is one of my favorite groups which provide activities for learning about nature. Check out their new family activity guide on line….you will want to take your kids outside Today!!https://www.plt.org/family-activities-connect-kids-to-nature-forest

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Celebrate Spring at the Flying Squirrel!

It’s been a crazy winter, so I KNOW you are ready for the FIRST DAY OF SPRING!! So are we, so we are celebrating the First Day of Spring at the Flying Squirrel in Chattanooga (http://flyingsquirrelbar.com/) and they are donating a portion of the proceeds to our Kids 4 Clean Water programs! So come join us Thursday!