MJRT TEAMS UP WITH ALLIANCE FOR EDUCATIONAL SIGNAGEIn 2018, the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay received a grant funding through the Middle James Roundtable for educational signage for Bayscape area at Lucille Brown Middle School. Working together in Fall 2018 and January 2019 with the school and Community Food Collaborative, the Alliance developed ideas for three signs. Alison Fallecker of Novus Creative brought their ideas to life with her visually inviting graphics. The first sign explains the benefits of native plants in the Bayscape. The second offers information about the Market Garden maintained in the agricultural fields run by Community Food Collaborative. The third sign describes the Learning Garden on the side of the building.
The educational signs further define each distinct area of the school campus, thus recognizing these areas as outdoor classroom spaces that can be used to expand content being taught inside the building. When teachers bring students outside, they can use the signs as tools to begin a lesson or a starting point for discussions about a wide range of topics related to the local watershed, agriculture, and plant life. Each sign contains custom-made, user-friendly graphics designed with students and community members in mind. The signs were installed in March 2019 and will be utilized during the after-school programming called “Grown On!” in the spring. For more information about the RiverWise Schools program, please contact Meredeth Dash, mdash@allianceforthebay.org. 
Paint Out Pollution
On April 21, 2018, the Middle James Round Table collaborated with the City of Lynchburg, the James River Association and Art on Wheels' Paint out Pollution Program to host a Storm Drain Art Project to remind the community to put “only rain down the drain” and to educate residents on how they can do their part to improve local water quality. Sixteen inlets were identified and stenciled with art emphasizing the importance of clean water down the drains and the connection to the Bay. A big thanks to all the volunteers that made this project possible! Aimed at increasing public awareness of stormwater pollution, the storm drain art celebrates the native plant and animal species that call the James River home. You can spot all sixteen around downtown Lynchburg. 
The Richmond Symphony Presents:
FESTIVAL OF THE RIVER: THREE DAYS OF MUSIC, ART AND ENVIRONMENT UNDER THE BIG TENT AND ON BROWN’S ISLAND MJRT hosted a booth at Festival of the River on Saturday, June 9th. We made 177 turtles with attendees and educated the public on the environmental health of the James River.
Soil Test Voucher Program
Don't Guess....Get a Soil Test! Although fertilizer can be very helpful in establishing happy, healthy plants, it poses a risk if not used properly. Excess fertilizer and chemicals wash away with rainwater and pollute our local streams and waterways. The first guideline of responsible fertilizer application is to take a soil sample and have it analyzed to determine fertilizer needs. Henricopolis SWCD has established a soil test incentive program to offset the cost of soil analysis for Henrico County residents. Henricopolis will provide two coupons per household to Henrico County residents to cover the $10.00 processing fee for a standard soil test (not including postage). Soil test kits are available in the Henrico Extension Office or in county libraries. Coupons are available by email or in-person Email requests to soiltestvouchers@henrico.us Include your name, physical address andnumber of coupons requested |
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