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We are joining with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation and the Alexandria
Seaport Foundation to help restore underwater grasses to the Chesapeake
Bay watershed. The regional program leader is the CBF, and the local
leader is the Alexandria Seaport Foundation.
In our capacity, we are looking for 10 members to grow underwater
grass at their homes for 10 to 12 weeks. After which time,
we will plant them in Lake Cooke off of Eisenhower Avenue. One of
the beauties of this location is that Lake Cooke dumps into 4 Mile
Run, which empties into the Potomac at the location of our Potomac
River Clean Ups. So, we will be further helping our "adopted"
clean up location.
Each participant will receive a kit with all the necessary equipment.
The kit includes a 2' by 3' tub that needs to be placed on something
solid, and filled with water and sand. The kit comes with lights
and heaters, so it can be placed in the basement. After planting,
it will take 10 to 12 weeks for the grasses to grow to the size
suitable for planting. The plants need 8 to 10 hours of light (from
the attached lights), the temperature should stay in the proper
range (which should be automatic after setting the heaters), and
it should never run out of water (through evaporation).
Vallisneria americana
Description: Long, ribbon-like leaves
from clusters at the base of the plant. Leaf edges slightly serrated.
Rounded tip. A light green stripe runs down the center. Tiny, white
flowers.
Distribution: Fresh to brackish water
The health of a watershed is measured in part by the amount of underwater
vegetation present-more vegetation, the healthier the watershed.
SAV plays an important ecological role to the
aquatic environment by:
- Providing food and habitat for waterfowl, fish,
shellfish
and invertebrates; the grasses serve as nursery habitat for many
species of fish, such as young spot and striped bass, which seek
refuge from predators in the grass beds; additionally, blue crabs
are known to hide in Bay grasses after molting, while still soft.
- Producing oxygen in the water column as part of the photosynthetic
process;
- Filtering and trapping sediment that can cloud the water and
bury bottom-dwelling organisms, such as oysters <http://www.chesapeakebay.net/info/american_oyster.cfm>
;
- Protecting shorelines from erosion by slowing down wave action;
and
- Removing excess nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorus,
that could fuel unwanted growth of algae in the surrounding waters.
Bay grasses require such nutrients for growth and reproduction.
SAV as Habitat
Underwater Bay grasses create a special habitat for many aquatic
organisms. These plant communities provide food and shelter for
various species of fish, shellfish, invertebrates and waterfowl.
Thus, SAV is a key contributor to the energy cycling in the Bay.
The blade surface of SAV serves as a substrate for microscopic
algae and protozoans. Minnows dart between the plants and graze
on the tiny organisms that grow on stems and leaves. Microscopic
zooplankton
feed on decaying SAV and, in turn, are food for larger Bay organisms.
Other small species that use SAV as substrate and/or food include
bay barnacles, sea squirts, sponges, isopods, amphipods, snails
and sea slugs. Small fish and crustaceans, such as pipefish, seahorses,
sticklebacks, anchovies, silversides, shrimp, blue crabs and clams
seek refuge from larger and hungrier mouths. Shedding blue
crabs conceal themselves in the vegetation until their new shells
have hardened.
SAV habitats also serve as protective nurseries for many juvenile
fish including menhaden,
herring, shad,
spot,
croaker,
weakfish,
red
drum and silver perch
SAV is a valuable food source for waterfowl.
In the fall and winter, migrating waterfowl such as the American
wigeon, the green-winged teal, and canvasback ducks search the sediment
for nutritious seeds, roots and tubers. Resident waterfowl may feed
on SAV year-round
SAV Decline
Historically, up to 600,000 acres of SAV grew along the shoreline
of Chesapeake Bay. But by 1978, (the first aerial surveys were in
the 1930s) surveys of SAV documented only 41,000 acres.
What caused this sharp decline?
The single most important factor determining SAV growth and survival
is the amount of light that reaches the
plants. When the amount of light is too low, the plants can no longer
photosynthesize and produce enough food and energy to grow.
Scientists determine the light levels that reach SAV by measuring
water clarity (or Secchi depth) and calculating the light attenuation
coefficient. The higher the coefficient, the less light is reaching
the plant. The amount of light is affected by water
quality, which in turn is affected by the total suspended solids
(or TSS); algae (measured as Chlorophyll a ) and epiphytes (microorganisms
that attach to SAV leaf surface); and nutrients (dissolved inorganic
nitrogen or DIN and dissolved inorganic phosphorus or DIP) that
are present in the water column.
High sediment levels result from erosion of the land often due
to construction, forestry, and agricultural practices. Sediment
levels are measured through monitoring activity such as TSS, which
block some of the light that SAV needs to survive and grow. Soil
particles can add to already excessive nutrient levels because many
are attached to nutrient particles that are then released back into
the water. TSS thus can contribute to algae growth, which further
blocks light from reaching the SAV.
High nutrient levels are caused by the excessive use of fertilizers,
runoff from livestock operations, and outflow from sewage treatment
facilities. Nutrients indirectly affect SAV by allowing excessive
algae to grow both in the water and on the grass blades, further
blocking the necessary light.
For more information on this project and its benefits for the environment,
visit http://www.chesapeakebay.net/baybio.htm
which is a Chesapeake Bay Project Web site.
For more info on the Chesapeake Bay Project, visit their web site
at http://www.chesapeakbay.net
and for the Alexandria
Seaport Foundation , visit their web site at http://www.alexandriaseaport.org.
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We need volunteers to work the club's water station at the DC Marathon
on Sunday March 23rd. The club has its own station this year which
we will decorate in true Parrot Head Style. Though we do need a
bunch more people to fulfill the commitment that we gave the Marathon,
our allotted volunteer slots are filling up quickly, so sign up
today! If you are interested in volunteering for this event, email
Linda Anderson.
What is the DC Marathon?
The DC Marathon benefits Metro
Teen Aids, the Leukemia
& Lymphoma Society, and St.
Jude's Children's Research Hospital.
Our job will be to hand out refreshments to the dedicated runners
who have worked hard over the last several months raising "sponsorship"
money for the event and training to run this marathon.
Our area is located near a metro station around mile marker #17.
We will decorate this area with parrot head decor. Special thanks
to Carlos Tramontana who has secured a special WAPHC/DC Marathon
Banner from the DC Miller/Corona distributor.
Reminder:
The parking lot at the Pentagon Metro Station has been closed to
people who do not have appropriate Pentagon tags. Plan to
use another Metro Station to get to this event.
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On Saturday March 29, the club will participate in its first tree
planting 9:00am-3:00pm. We will be planting seedlings in the ground,
and then placing protective barriers around them so the beavers,
squirrels and other wild life to not tear them up.
What does this do for the environment?
In addition to producing clean oxygen that we all need to breath,
trees help the Chesapeake Bay and Potomac watershed. Trees are crucial
to the overall health of the watershed--they slow down runoff and
the erosion of soil, which contains sediment, and they absorb the
nutrients that are the main cause of pollutants in the Bay. Trees
and forests also provide habitat for wildlife and help to cool stream
temperatures.
Directions:
Take Rt. 66 to Rt. 123 north through Vienna to Beulah Rd.
Beulah is a left turn coming from the South. Stay on Beulah past
Meadowlark Gardens.
The first left turn after Meadowlark Gardens is Lozano Rd.
Turn in at Lozano and follow it to the intersection with Asoleado.
Turn Rt. on Asoleado and park in the cul de sac (please don't block
any drives).
There is a paved path leading to the community tennis courts. Follow
the path to the stream.
What to Bring:
Tools such as: shovels, picks, rakes and
hammers.
Dress for the weather: field boots, old tennis or work shoes, gloves
and long pants.
Brown bag lunch and drink.
This planting is sponsored by:
The Virginia
Department of Forestry, Difficult Run Community Conservancy
and the Potomac
Conservancy
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Saturday April 5 at Daingerfield Island off the G.W. Parkway. 8:30
to Noon. For several years now, we have worked on this particular
location, and we usually pick up more than a ton of garbage. Email
Rock if you are interested
in helping on this project. People are welcome to show up anyway
on the day of the event without registering first.
We will be cleaning up Daingerfield Island, the mouth of 4 Mile
Run, and the area between. You will be amazed at some of the
things we find during this clean up. We will be able to see the
fruits of our labor at the end of the day when we marvel at the
massive pile of garbage that we picked up.
Come one, come all
There are different levels of difficulty to work, so this event
is good for everyone-from the very young to the very old, from the
athletic and active to the sedentary bar-stool potato. If you want
to help the environment, this is the event is for you! We
will even need a couple of people to man a "membership booth",
so if you are unable to perform the work, we can still use you.
Why pick up trash?
This location is one of the worst places for trash along the Potomac.
This is due to several reasons, including the fact that 4 Mile Run
drains large sections of Alexandria and the majority of Arlington.
As the rain drainage makes its way to the Potomac, it picks up all
sorts of trash that people throw on the ground. This trash is "dumped"
on the shores as the stream reaches the Potomac. Additionally, the
Potomac River widens and the flow slows at this location. This causes
trash that is suspended in the water to be "dumped" on
the shor.
This event is in conjunction with the Potomac
Conservancy and the National Park Service.
We are working on getting press coverage for this event as it will
be a good way for a reporter to focus on our charitable aspects.
The Potomac River is the wildest river running through a metropolitan
area anywhere in the world. It supplies fresh drinking and household
water for more than 80% of the 4 million residents of the Washington,
D.C. area. Millions of canoeists, kayakers, fishermen, joggers,
hunters, rowers, hikers, bikers, and birdwatchers take advantage
of its unique and world-class recreational opportunities, and it
is home to national wildlife treasures such as the great blue heron
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Saturday May 17—DC Chili Cook Off Benefitting the National
Kidney Foundation.
The Washington Area Parrot Head Club has
participated in the DC Chili Cook Off since 1998. We usually win
or place in the People’s Choice Competition, which is given
to the cooking team that raises the most amount of money for the
National Kidney Foundation during the event. We also usually win
or place in the Showmanship competition which is based on who are
the most festive group with the best decorated booth. With over
100 cooking teams participating each year, both of these are great
wins for the club.
In past years we have built a beach on Pennsylvania Avenue by dumping
(literally) a ton of sand on the street. We have built a 20'x15'x20'
Tiki Hut. We have also brought our 6 foot smoking volcano. All of
these displays have awarded us the coveted "Showmanship Award"
in previous years.
This year we are again cooking in the competition.
We plan to enter 6 chilies and salsas and we hope to again win the
People’s Choice Award. Arrangements are being made to have
leis and other tropical items to give out with our chili samples
to help raise money for the National Kidney Foundation.
This year’s display will be unbeatable.
We are in the process of building a 30 foot long, three-masted Pirate
Ship. This display will be built on two trailers which will help
with clean up and break down. We are asking that people not only
wear club shirts to the event, but also wear pirate gear (hats,
hoop earings, etc) Together, we plan to sail into Parrot Head and
Chili Cook Off History.
For more info on the chili cookoffs, tips,
links, etc go to the club’s chili cook off page
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Don't step on that Pop Top and Blow Out Your Flip-Flop!! Pick it
up instead.
We are collecting the pull tabs from any aluminum beverage can
to benefit the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Washington
DC. Just pull them off, put them in a zip lock bag, and when you
get a few bring them in and give them to Dave Olkowsk at any club
event. If you don't see Dave, give them to any of the charity committee
members (Rock, Sue Helwege, Andrea Novak, Barbara Akin, Connie Shaffer,
Fae Peterson, Janice Brook, Linda Anderson, Melissa Meurer, Tammy
Green, or Tim Swoope) . This will be an all-year collection, so
don't stop.
What is Ronald Mcdonald House?
Ronald
McDonald House Charities® of Greater Washington, D.C., (RMHC)
is a non-profit (501(c)3) organization whose mission is to lift
children to a better tomorrow. The cornerstones of their efforts
are the Ronald McDonald House in Washington, D.C., and the Northern
Virginia Ronald McDonald House at Inova Fairfax Hospital. RMHC also
operates a Family Room at Children's National Medical Center for
families who have children being treated for cancer.
Each Ronald McDonald House offers a home-away-from-home for seriously
ill children and their families. The Houses are a haven for families
who live too far away from the hospital to go home each night. RMHC
manages the regional Ronald McDonald House Charities Grants Program,
which awards grants to other qualified children's charities.
How do the pop-tops help the Ronald McDonald
House?
They recycle them and use the funds from the recycling to fund their
programs.
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The primary goal of Toys for Tots is to deliver, through a shiny new toy at Christmas, a message of hope to needy youngsters that will motivate them to grow into responsible, productive, patriotic citizens and community leaders. The program distributed 13.2 million toys in 2002, and the participation of groups like ours was integral to the success. This year's collection will be coordinated by our very own Vice President, Sue Helwedge. Please bring a new, unwrapped toy to any club social or event between Thanksgiving and December 12 and give it to Sue. In the event that a collection coordinator is not at a specific event or social, you can give your donations to Rock, the Charity Committee Lead, or anyone on the Charity Committee, and they will make sure that it gets to the collection coordinator.
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The club will be collecting Food for the Center for Creative Non-Violence, the Nation's largest Homeless shelter. Please bring canned or bottled food to any club social or event from Nov. 1 to November 23 and give it to our our collection coordinator or anyone on the Charity Committee. The club will also be doing a Turkey Drive to gather frozen turkeys for the Thanksgiving meal. Last year's food and Turkey drive collected 159 Turkeys in two days plus about 1,500 lbs of food. In the event that a collection coordinator is not at a specific event or social, you can give your donations to Rock, the Charity Committee Lead, or anyone on the Charity Committee, and they will make sure that it gets to the collection coordinator.
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During the month of May the club will be collecting canned food at each of the club events and socials. The food will benefit the Capital Area Food Bank. Please give your canned food to the donation coordinator, Andrea (Drea) Novak In the event that a collection coordinator is not at a specific event or social, you can give your donations to Rock, the Charity Committee Lead, or anyone on the Charity Committee, and they will make sure that it gets to the collection coordinator.
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During the Month of October, the club will be collecting Clothing for the homeless. Please bring unwanted clothing to any club social or event and give them to our collection coordinator, Janice.
In the event that a collection coordinator is not at a specific event or social, you can give your donations to Rock, the Charity Committee Lead, or anyone on the Charity Committee, and they will make sure that it gets to the collection coordinator.
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