Wednesday, December 31, 2014

End of YEAR THANKS from SRWA!

soquebanner_improved


Dear SRWA Blog,

 
 

12 REASONS to CONSIDER AN END OF YEAR 

(or beginning of 2015!) 

GIFT TO THE SRWA



We know that most people only support a small handful of organizations with their charitable donations each year. We want to be respectful of your time and resources and simply share with you 12 simple reasons we think that your END OF YEAR GIFT TO THE SRWA will make a difference in your life, and your community. 
 

 

 #1

37 Farm Projects have fenced 16.5 miles, excluding 1,220 cows from streams (since 2008), resulting in both the upper and lower Soque River being removed from the state's impaired waters list for fecal coliform bacteria by EPD. That's a tremendous success. Sediment and nutrient pollutants are our next targets for cleanup.
sparky
#2
 
Since 2012 the SRWA has planted over 3,000 Trees, stabilizing 2 schools, and 3 farm streambanks, reducing sediment runoff. We also have sold over 1,200 native trees to the public. You can 

ORDER TREES HERE NOW
Orders End Friday, January 2nd
#3
 
Innovative Stormwater Features constructed at the new County Courthouse improve stormwater treatment and infiltration, and serves as a model for green development. As a result, Piedmont College is including similar innovations in their new Student Village construction. The City of Clarkesville likewise seeks funding to allow the reconstruction of the downtown to include green infrastructure. 

Read this brochure for details

#4
 
The Clarkesville Greenway expansion into Mary Street Park is almost completed, adding another half mile of scenic walking and biking trails. 

#5

An eroding streambank on Rocky Branch was Restored using a natural channel design technique. City of Clarkesville staff assisted by donating labor and resources to complete the project. 
rainbarrels
#6
 
The Northeast Georgia Locally Grown farmers market has sold $211,280 of locally produced food since April 2010. With a recent addition of a third pickup in Gainesville and a small grant, 2015 is likely to be a record year for local food sales from sustainable farms. EAT WELL, BUY LOCAL!

Andrews_CIRCLE_logo_200

grown
 
#7
 
Our 28 plot - quarter acre Community Garden on the Greenway continues to produce an abundance of fresh organic food. We are also nearing completion of a Greenhouse that should allow us to propagate and sell rare streamside plants unavailable from local nurseries.
linda

#8

Numerous volunteers help to remove trash from area streams during River Clean-Ups.
clean

#9

Rebuilt an Eroding Dirt Road using a technique called water bars that reduces erosion and long-term maintenance costs.
storm

#10

We’ve collected over 50 submissions for a BOOK about people’s EXPERIENCES on the SOQUE called “Soquee River Days”, in honor of John Kollock who inspired all of us to appreciate our unique and beautiful surroundings. Please share with us your story and photos before December 31st. See other entries at http://soqueriverdays.blogspot.com
clean

#11


Through our Keep Habersham Beautiful program we planted 75 fruit trees in public areas including 4 schools and the Clarkesville greenway. The City of Cornelia is planting additional fruit trees. All trees are accessible to the public. 

figs_WILBANKS_320
 
#12
 

We THROW REALLY GOOD PARTIES and EVENTS - this year’s events included: our Fall Party featuring the restored Historic Habersham Mills, a regional Farm Tour attended by over 500, and our BEER TASTING Christmas Party. 
1458494_838970322803447_772589752221741764_n.jpg?oh=f8ad9660afd9375d0eec33da19cdff0b&oe=552C213D

  
We want to THANK EVERYONE who made 2014 a very good year!

Special thanks to the over 5o individuls and organizations that helped us recover from the fire back in March! It was truly amazing how the community came to support our recovery.

If you believe in what we do please consider an end of year or beginning of year gift! And we hope you'll 
come by and visit us at the new office in 2015 (downtown Clarkesville across from the theater)! 
 

new_sign_500

santa




Justin Ellis
Executive Director
Soque River Watershed Association
706-754-9382

 

Donations to the Soque River Watershed Association (SRWA) are tax deductible.  
You can JOIN the SRWA or make a Donation by clicking HERE

Forward this message to a friend




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Soque River Watershed Association
PO Box 1901
Clarkesville, GA 30523
US

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Thursday, December 11, 2014

Soque Bulletin- Party INVITE! - December 11, 2014

soquebanner_improved
SOQUE BULLETIN
December 11, 2014

 
COMING UP TOMOROW!
SOQUE Christmas Party - BEER TASTING - December 12th
Beer_Tasting_2014
We hope you will attend our Christmas Beer Tasting tomorrow night!
See all the details at the bottom of this e-mail.
 
 

 

12 REASONS to CONSIDER AN END OF YEAR 

GIFT TO THE SRWA



We know that most people only support a small handful of organizations with their charitable donations each year. We want to be respectful of your time and resources and simply share with you 12 simple reasons we think that your END OF YEAR GIFT TO THE SRWA will make a difference in your life, and your community. 
 

  1. 37 Farm Projects have fenced 16.5 miles, excluding 1,220 cows from streams (since 2008), resulting in both the upper and lower Soque River being removed from the state's impaired waters list for fecal coliform bacteria by EPD. That's a tremendous success. Sediment and nutrient pollutants are our next targets for cleanup. 

    sparky
     

  2. Since 2012 the SRWA has planted over 3,000 Trees, stabilizing 2 schools, and 3 farm streambanks, reducing sediment runoff. We also have sold over 1,200 native trees to the public. You can purchase TREES HERE NOW 

     

  3. Innovative Stormwater Features constructed at the new County Courthouse improve stormwater treatment and infiltration, and serves as a model for green development. As a result, Piedmont College is including similar innovations in their new Student Village construction. The City of Clarkesville likewise seeks funding to allow the reconstruction of the downtown to include green infrastructure. 


    Read this brochure for details


     

  4. The Clarkesville Greenway expansion into Mary Street Park is almost completed, adding another half mile of scenic walking and biking trails. 

     

  5. An eroding streambank on Rocky Branch was Restored using a natural channel design technique. City of Clarkesville staff assisted by donating labor and resources to complete the project. 

    rainbarrels

     

  6. The Northeast Georgia Locally Grown farmers market has sold $211,280 of locally produced food since April 2010. With a recent addition of a third pickup in Gainesville and a small grant, 2015 is likely to be a record year for local food sales from sustainable farms. EAT WELL, BUY LOCAL!
     

    grown
     

  7. Our 28 plot - quarter acre Community Garden on the Greenway continues to produce an abundance of fresh organic food. We are also nearing completion of a Greenhouse that should allow us to propagate and sell rare streamside plants unavailable from local nurseries.
     

    linda
     

  8. Numberous volunteers help to remove trash from area streams during River Clean-Ups.

    clean

     

  9. Rebuilt an Eroding Dirt Road using a technique called water bars that reduces erosion and long-term maintenance costs.
     

    storm
     

  10. We’ve collected over 50 submissions for a BOOK about people’s EXPERIENCES on the SOQUE called “Soquee River Days”, in honor of John Kollock who inspired all of us to appreciate our unique and beautiful surroundings. Please share with us your story and photos before December 31st. See other entries at http://soqueriverdays.blogspot.com


    clean
     

  11. Through our Keep Habersham Beautiful program we planted 75 fruit trees in public areas including 4 schools and the Clarkesville greenway. The City of Cornelia is planting additional fruit trees accessible to the public.

  12. We THROW REALLY GOOD PARTIES and EVENTS - this year’s events included: our Fall Party featuring the restored Historic Habersham Mills, a regional Farm Tour attended by over 500, and coming up tomorrow a BEER TASTING Christmas Party on Friday, December 12th. We’d love for you to attend! Check below for details.   
    santa




 
Craft_Beer_Yum_2015
 
SOQUE Christmas Party - BEER TASTING - December 12th

YOU are invited to ATTEND the 5th annual Soque Christmas Party,  BEER TASTING and POTLUCK. The SRWA hosts the biggest and best beer tasting in Habersham County each year and we're continuing the tradition at a new location.

If you haven't attended before here's what you need to know:
  • The new LOCATION is 333 Old Clarkesville Mill Road. Located in the Soque Village subdivision behind Old Clarkesville Mill. Just drive through the gates and look for the signs. Thanks to Walter and Laura for being our hosts!
  • EVERYONE is INVITED - We do encourage all attendees to join the SRWA as a member if you are not already. However, everyone is invited, especially friends and loved ones who love good beer. Don't be shy. Never been to an SRWA event? What are you waiting for? RSVP to soque@windstream.net, since we may have to cap the party at 50. 
  • BRING A DISH - If you'd like to munch on something please bring a tasty dish for the potluck. Healthy alternatives encouraged. Cakes, cookies, cheeses, soups, meatballs, whole roasted chicken, and drinks are all good too.
  • BRING TWO BEERS - To enter the tasting you must bring at least 2x 12ounce bottles or cans of beer per person or one 22 ounce bomber sized beer. They should be the same beer so that once the first one is gone it can be replaced with the second one. 
  • BRING YOUR OWN GLASS - We'll have plastic cups but who wants to drink beer from one of those?
  • HOW IT WORKS - Since we're trying to discover wonderful beers, do some research and travel if needed to find something really special to enter in the TASTING CONTEST. Fortunately the selection is getting better and better all the time (Betty's up in Helen has good choices including Growlers). Your beers will be competing with all other beers entered. The best beer of the night will win a prize. All beers will be placed in a paper bag with a number on it. By using the blind taste test method we're forced to overcome our biases against breweries we think stink. Everyone will have a scorecard, and you'll score each beer tasted. At the end of the night we'll have everyone vote on their top 3 beers, then fill in the board showing the names of every beer. It's fun!
  • Party starts at 6pm and will end around 9pm....maybe.
  • RSVP if you can to soque@windstream.net and let us know what you might bring for the potluck too.
Hope to see you there!
Justin Ellis
Executive Director
Soque River Watershed Association
706-754-9382

 

Donations to the Soque River Watershed Association (SRWA) are tax deductible.  
You can JOIN the SRWA or make a Donation by clicking HERE

Forward this message to a friend




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If you no longer wish to receive these emails, please reply to this message with "Unsubscribe" in the subject line or simply click on the following link: Unsubscribe

Soque River Watershed Association
PO Box 1901
Clarkesville, GA 30523
US

Read the VerticalResponse marketing policy.

Non-Profits Email Free with VerticalResponse!

Sunday, December 7, 2014

Fw: Soque Bulletin- December 2, 2014




Soque Bulletin- December 2, 2014
soquebanner_improved
SOQUE BULLETIN
December 2, 2014

 
2015_Tree_SALE
Check out the SRWA's 3rd Annual Native Tree Sale. Purchase bareroot and 
container trees online between now and January 2nd for pickup January 9th. Details below.
or ORDER HERE
 
 
IN THIS NEWSLETTER
1) SUPPORT SRWA for GIVING TUESDAY 
2) SRWA's 3rd Annual Tree Sale
3) SOQUE Christmas Party - BEER TASTING - December 12th




1) SUPPORT SRWA for GIVING TUESDAY 
givingtuesday-banner 2

Today is GIVING TUESDAY! The idea behind Giving Tuesday is truly grand. Thanksgiving is for giving thanks, Black Friday is for getting deals, and Giving TUESDAY is for giving back.

Just as the Lorax spoke for the trees, we, you, all of us must speak up for our beautiful Soque River! Giving back to her can come in many shapes and sizes. Of course, financial support of the SRWA's programs is one way, and a very important way to make sure that conservation of the river and surrounding resources is considered by our entire community.

We've also tried very hard in recent years to come up with OTHER WAYS (hopefully in addition to financial support) that our community can give back to the SOQUE RIVER. Here are just a few and we hope you may share with us your own ideas:
  • Share your story, photos and artwork of the River - We've met a whole new group of individuals through our SOQUEE RIVER DAYS project to collect people's experiences with the Soque Watershed. By sharing your own story you'll help demonstrate how important this resource is to our community identity. See submissions and make your own at http://soqueriverdays.blogspot.com
  • PLANT TREES -  Rivers run best when they are surrounded by green things. Planting trees is an investment in the future health of the river. See our Tree Sale below.
  • COMPOST - This is a new one for us to recommend. YOU can turn red soils brown and stop erosion by composting organic matter. Make a commitment this year to compost your food scraps, your leaves, your grass clippings and then spread the decomposed material anywhere that you see bare soil. ​Altogether, composting could (and slowly is) changing the landscape of our watershed.

As you consider how you can GIVE BACK to the SOQUE, feel free check out these additional TWELVE REASONS TO SUPPORT THE SRWA. If you'd like to make a donation today, click on the Soque Lover Santa and we thank you for your support of our efforts!
 
santa-DONATE




2) SRWA's 3rd Annual Tree Sale
I think that I shall never see
A poem lovely as a tree.

A tree whose hungry mouth is prest
Against the sweet earth's flowing breast;

A tree that looks at God all day,
And lifts her leafy arms to pray;

A tree that may in summer wear
A nest of robins in her hair;

Upon whose bosom snow has lain;
Who intimately lives with rain.

Poems are made by fools like me,
But only God can make a tree.


- Joyce Kilmer

If you have the same fondness in your heart for trees as the poet Joyce Kilmer, or if you are more practical about it and simply realize that trees are useful around your home, your farm, or your business, we ecourage you to purchase and plant some native trees this year at the SRWA's 3rd Annual Tree Sale. Trees can be purchased ONLINE Now through January 2nd (JUST 30 DAYS LEFT), for pickup on Friday, January 9th from 3-6pm at the Mauldin House in Clarkesville. Check out our Ordering Form by clicking on the link. 

Trees are nature's restoration tools. They create topsoil, allow rainfall to soak into the ground, cool our urban environments, clean the air, provide oxygen, hold streambanks in place, and increase property values. Overall they improve our natural environments more than any other tool. The SRWA believes that planting trees is the single best gift we can give back to the land.

 
FLIER_photoshop_600 2
Click on the FLIER to get a PDF version

Five different bareroot varieties are available for just $2 per tree:
  • White oak 
  • American persimmon 
  • Red maple 
  • Green ash
  • Tulip poplar 
Nineteen varieties of larger container trees are also available in one, three and seven gallon sizes for $7, $9 and $28 each. 
 


2) SOQUE Christmas Party - BEER TASTING - December 12th
Beer_Tasting_2014

YOU are invited to ATTEND the 5th annual Soque Christmas Party,  BEER TASTING and POTLUCK. The SRWA hosts the biggest and best beer tasting in Habersham County each year and we're continuing the tradition at a new location.

If you haven't attended before here's what you need to know:
  • The new LOCATION is 333 Old Clarkesville Mill Road. Located in the Soque Village subdivision behind Old Clarkesville Mill. Just drive through the gates and look for the signs. Thanks to Walter and Laura for being our hosts!
  • EVERYONE is INVITED - We do encourage all attendees to join the SRWA as a member if you are not already. However, everyone is invited, especially friends and loved ones who love good beer. Don't be shy. Never been to an SRWA event? What are you waiting for? RSVP to soque@windstream.net, since we may have to cap the party at 50. 
  • BRING A DISH - If you'd like to munch on something please bring a tasty dish for the potluck. Healthy alternatives encouraged. Cakes, cookies, cheeses, soups, meatballs, whole roasted chicken, and drinks are all good too.
  • BRING TWO BEERS - To enter the tasting you must bring at least 2x 12ounce bottles or cans of beer per person or one 22 ounce bomber sized beer. They should be the same beer so that once the first one is gone it can be replaced with the second one. 
  • BRING YOUR OWN GLASS - We'll have plastic cups but who wants to drink beer from one of those?
  • HOW IT WORKS - Since we're trying to discover wonderful beers, do some research and travel if needed to find something really special to enter in the TASTING CONTEST. Fortunately the selection is getting better and better all the time (Betty's up in Helen has good choices including Growlers). Your beers will be competing with all other beers entered. The best beer of the night will win a prize. All beers will be placed in a paper bag with a number on it. By using the blind taste test method we're forced to overcome our biases against breweries we think stink. Everyone will have a scorecard, and you'll score each beer tasted. At the end of the night we'll have everyone vote on their top 3 beers, then fill in the board showing the names of every beer. It's fun!
  • Party starts at 6pm and will end around 9pm....maybe.
  • RSVP if you can to soque@windstream.net and let us know what you might bring for the potluck too.
Hope to see you there!


 
Justin Ellis
Executive Director
Soque River Watershed Association
706-754-9382

 
Donations to the Soque River Watershed Association (SRWA) are tax deductible.  
You can JOIN the SRWA or make a Donation by clicking HERE



Click to view this email in a browser

If you no longer wish to receive these emails, please reply to this message with "Unsubscribe" in the subject line or simply click on the following link: Unsubscribe

Soque River Watershed Association
PO Box 1901
Clarkesville, GA 30523
US
Read the VerticalResponse marketing policy.
Non-Profits Email Free with VerticalResponse!