Friday, February 29, 2008

River clean-up

>
> ST. MARYS EARTHKEEPERS INVITES VOLUNTEERS
> TO JOIN RIVER CLEAN-UP MARCH 15
>
> ST. MARYS, GA—On March 15, as part of the annual St. Marys River
> Celebration, the St. Marys EarthKeepers will join together to clean
> up St. Marys' downtown waterfront including shore, marsh and river.
>
> The St. Marys River Celebration is an annual one-day volunteer
> cleanup of the St. Marys River in both Georgia and Florida and
> includes Camden and Charleton Counties in Georgia, and Nassau and
> Baker Counties in Florida. Over the past nine years, more than
> 6,725 volunteers have removed more than a half million pounds of
> trash from the St. Marys River and its tributaries.
>
> According to St. Marys EarthKeepers' founder Barbara Ryan, this
> event is an excellent opportunity for the EarthKeepers to "live"
> their mission of environmental preservation and improvement.
>
> "Our river plays an integral role in our local economy and quality
> of life," stated Ryan. "And while St. Marys River has remained
> fairly healthy compared to other waterways, it behooves us to
> remove the trash that could endanger the habitats of some of our
> threatened species."
>
> Ryan and her fellow EarthKeepers encourage others to join them at
> 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, March 15, at the boat ramp on the St. Marys
> waterfront. Up the Creek Xpeditions has donated the use of kayaks
> for experienced kayakers. Participants are asked to bring rakes,
> dip nets, trash sticks, work gloves or whatever materials they feel
> will make the job easier and safer. All volunteers will be invited
> to a celebration lunch afterward at White Oak Plantation and will
> also receive a St. Marys River Celebration
> t-shirt. Anyone eighteen years or younger must be accompanied by an
> adult.
>
> Ryan says she already has good response including a Boy Scout Cub
> group participating at the St. Marys Waterfront cleanup. Anyone who
> would like to join in should call Barbara Ryan at 912-729-1103, or
> email her at barbara@stormersmarketing.com. Volunteers interested
> in participating at other points of the river should contact Dean
> Woehrle at 904-879-3498.
>

Thursday, February 28, 2008

Earthkeepers Update

> For those of you who attended last night's St. Marys EarthKeepers'
> meeting, we thank you so much. Our success in achieving curbside
> recycling for St. Marys is a strong anchor for so much more that we
> can accomplish together. We hope that as many of you as possible
> will participate in the March 15 River Clean-up (details below),
> and we will be sending you notices of upcoming meetings and events.
> Here's an update (PLEASE READ TIL THE END—LOTS GOING ON.)
>
> ST. MARYS RIVER CELEBRATION/CLEAN-UP
> March 15. The St. Marys EarthKeepers have adopted St. Marys'
> waterfront to clean that day. Up the Creek Xpeditions has donated
> the use of 2 kayaks. Please let me know who among you are adept at
> kayaking so we can assign you that duty. The St. Marys River
> Management Committee will provide bags and gloves. Please bring the
> following if you have them: rake, dip net, trash stick, work
> gloves, protective footwear (for those who will venture into
> Marsh). Up the Creek Xpeditions opens at 8:00 that day, so why
> don't we all meet at the boat ramp area at 8:30. HERE'S YOUR
> REWARD: White Oak Plantation will host a celebration lunch
> beginning at 11:30. All volunteers are invited. If you've never
> been to White Oak, this is an experience of a lifetime. (Go to
> www.wocenter.org for details.) You will also get a t-shirt for
> participating. Please encourage your friends and neighbors to join
> us. We need all the help we can get, and it will be a fun day. Over
> the past nine years, this one-day annual
> event has removed more than a half a million pounds of trash from
> the St. Marys River and its tributaries. What a great story to tell
> your children and grandchildren!
>
> FORMATION OF BOARD
> All who attended last night's meeting agreed that it is a good idea
> to move ahead and formalize our organization by creating a board of
> directors, and then possibly applying for 501C3 status. The
> following are names of people who were suggested and/or have agreed
> to serve on the board: Frank Quinby, Ed Torgersen, Anne Orr, Diane
> Pennington, LJ Williams, Connie Casto, Alex Kearns, and Diane
> Hayes. I (Barbara Ryan) will serve in an advisory capacity as my
> role as a publisher could at times be considered a conflict of
> interest when having to cast a vote on a controversial issue. We
> will coordinate a board meeting time in the next few days, after
> which bylaws will be drawn up, and all EarthKeepers will be given
> an opportunity to have input. If you are interested in serving on
> the board as well, please email barbara@stmarysmagazine.com and let
> us know.
>
> MISSION AND VISION STATEMENT
> Alex Kearns is working on. Will be sent to all members in the next
> few days for input.
>
> GLASS COLLECTION CURBSIDE
> Chad Kinzly is coordinating with the city to insert notices in an
> upcoming water bill to notify all residents that they can now
> include glass and brown bags in their recycling bins.
>
> COMMERCIAL & SCHOOL RECYCLING
> We are asking the city to consider placing recycling receptacles on
> city property for schools and commercial companies to deposit their
> recyclables.
>
> LITTER CONTROL PROGRAM
> St. Marys EarthKeepers will play a vital role in Camden County's
> Keep Georgia Beautiful program. More details to follow. The next
> meeting for anyone interested in the litter program is Wednesday,
> March 5 at 6:00 p.m. in the County Annex Building.
>
> EARTHKEEPING POSTER CONTEST
> St. Marys Magazine is sponsoring a contest for kids up to 16 to
> design a poster that portrays good Earthkeeping. First prize is
> $100, and all entries get an EarthKeepers t-shirt. If you know of
> anyone who might be interested, please email
> barbara@stmarysmagazine.com. Entries will also be featured in the
> St. Marys Magazine.
>
> WEBSITE AND BLOG
> Barbara Ryan and Jerry Lockamy will create a St. Marys EarthKeepers
> website once board is formed. There is a blogspot already and the
> address is http://stmarysearthkeepers.blogspot.com

.
>
> OTHER ISSUES DISCUSSED AND TO BE PURSUED
> Favored meeting time seems to be Mondays at 6:30 p.m. (except when
> City Council meets).
> Encouraging Kingsland to participate in curbside recycling.
> Recycling at hospital and facilities such as Magnolia Manor.
> Trolley's (cigarette butt problems).
> Recycling at festivals.

Wednesday, February 27, 2008

EarthKeepers update

>
> For those of you who attended last night's St. Marys EarthKeepers'
> meeting, we thank you so much. Our success in achieving curbside
> recycling for St. Marys is a strong anchor for so much more that we
> can accomplish together. We hope that as many of you as possible
> will participate in the March 15 River Clean-up (details below),
> and we will be sending you notices of upcoming meetings and events.
> Here's an update (PLEASE READ TIL THE END—LOTS GOING ON.)
>
> ST. MARYS RIVER CELEBRATION/CLEAN-UP
> March 15. The St. Marys EarthKeepers have adopted St. Marys'
> waterfront to clean that day. Up the Creek Xpeditions has donated
> the use of 2 kayaks. Please let me know who among you are adept at
> kayaking so we can assign you that duty. The St. Marys River
> Management Committee will provide bags and gloves. Please bring the
> following if you have them: rake, dip net, trash stick, work
> gloves, protective footwear (for those who will venture into
> Marsh). Up the Creek Xpeditions opens at 8:00 that day, so why
> don't we all meet at the boat ramp area at 8:30. HERE'S YOUR
> REWARD: White Oak Plantation will host a celebration lunch
> beginning at 11:30. All volunteers are invited. If you've never
> been to White Oak, this is an experience of a lifetime. (Go to
> www.wocenter.org for details.) You will also get a t-shirt for
> participating. Please encourage your friends and neighbors to join
> us. We need all the help we can get, and it will be a fun day. Over
> the past nine years, this one-day annual
> event has removed more than a half a million pounds of trash from
> the St. Marys River and its tributaries. What a great story to tell
> your children and grandchildren!
>
> FORMATION OF BOARD
> All who attended last night's meeting agreed that it is a good idea
> to move ahead and formalize our organization by creating a board of
> directors, and then possibly applying for 501C3 status. The
> following are names of people who were suggested and/or have agreed
> to serve on the board: Frank Quinby, Ed Torgersen, Anne Orr, Diane
> Pennington, LJ Williams, Connie Casto, Alex Kearns, and Diane
> Hayes. I (Barbara Ryan) will serve in an advisory capacity as my
> role as a publisher could at times be considered a conflict of
> interest when having to cast a vote on a controversial issue. We
> will coordinate a board meeting time in the next few days, after
> which bylaws will be drawn up, and all EarthKeepers will be given
> an opportunity to have input. If you are interested in serving on
> the board as well, please email barbara@stmarysmagazine.com and let
> us know.
>
> MISSION AND VISION STATEMENT
> Alex Kearns is working on. Will be sent to all members in the next
> few days for input.
>
> GLASS COLLECTION CURBSIDE
> Chad Kinzly is coordinating with the city to insert notices in an
> upcoming water bill to notify all residents that they can now
> include glass and brown bags in their recycling bins.
>
> COMMERCIAL & SCHOOL RECYCLING
> We are asking the city to consider placing recycling receptacles on
> city property for schools and commercial companies to deposit their
> recyclables.
>
> LITTER CONTROL PROGRAM
> St. Marys EarthKeepers will play a vital role in Camden County's
> Keep Georgia Beautiful program. More details to follow. The next
> meeting for anyone interested in the litter program is Wednesday,
> March 5 at 6:00 p.m. in the County Annex Building.
>
> EARTHKEEPING POSTER CONTEST
> St. Marys Magazine is sponsoring a contest for kids up to 16 to
> design a poster that portrays good Earthkeeping. First prize is
> $100, and all entries get an EarthKeepers t-shirt. If you know of
> anyone who might be interested, please email
> barbara@stmarysmagazine.com. Entries will also be featured in the
> St. Marys Magazine.
>
> WEBSITE AND BLOG
> Barbara Ryan and Jerry Lockamy will create a St. Marys EarthKeepers
> website once board is formed. There is a blogspot already and the
> address is http://stmarysearthkeepers.blogspot.com

.
>
> OTHER ISSUES DISCUSSED AND TO BE PURSUED
> Favored meeting time seems to be Mondays at 6:30 p.m. (except when
> City Council meets).
> Encouraging Kingsland to participate in curbside recycling.
> Recycling at hospital and facilities such as Magnolia Manor.
> Trolley's (cigarette butt problems).
> Recycling at festivals.
>
>
>

Monday, February 25, 2008

EarthKeepers meeting tomorrow

Please attend a very important EarthKeepers meeting tomorrow evening
(Tuesday, February 26) at 6:00 p.m. in the City Economic Building,
400 Osborne Street. Our agenda will include discussion of board
formation, filing for a 501c3, and upcoming priorities. See you there.
Barbara
Barbara Ryan

Friday, February 8, 2008

Litter Control Program

>
> If you are having trouble viewing this message, please go to http://
> community.icontact.com/p/stmarysmagazine/newsletters/
> advertisersissue4.
>
> THE HONOR OF YOUR PRESENCE IS REQUESTED
>
> WHAT: LITTER CONTROL PROGRAM KICK-OFF
> WHEN: WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 20 AT 6:30 PM
> WHERE: COASTAL GEORGIA COMMUNITY COLLEGE, CAMDEN CAMPUS
> SPEAKER: LYNN COBB, MANAGER OF KEEP GEORGIA BEAUTIFUL
>
> A major and growing concern of many residents of Camden County is
> the prevalence of litter throughout our community. There have been
> many initiatives over the years to reduce the amount of litter, but
> these have been periodic, band-aid efforts, which helped immensely
> for a day or two and then regressed to status-quo. The Camden
> County Chamber of Commerce and St. Marys EarthKeepers are
> initiating a program of litter control throughout the County, which
> we hope will include participation of every individual and entity
> in the County, and result in an everlasting litter-free community.
>
> In that regard, an invitation is extended to you and anyone else
> you feel should be in attendance, to embrace our initiative on
> behalf of the citizens of Camden County by attending the kick-off
> on Wednesday, February 20, 6:30 pm, at the Coastal Georgia
> Community College auditorium.
>
> The February 20th kick-off meeting will feature Lynn Cobb, Manager
> of Keep Georgia Beautiful. This organization is a certified member
> of the Keep America Beautiful program. It is our desire for this
> initiative to further beautify Camden County by eliminating
> unsightly litter, and allow Camden to become a certified member of
> Keep Georgia Beautiful.
>
> We look forward to seeing you at the kickoff meeting February 20.
>
>
>
>

Tuesday, February 5, 2008

Fwd: EarthKeepers Meeting

>
> Hello Everyone,
> Finally, we got lots of feedback as to when a good meeting time
> would be and the consensus is a Tuesday night. So, please mark your
> calendars.
> St. Marys EarthKeepers Meeting
> Tuesday, February 26, 2008 at 6:00 p.m.
> In the City Economic Building, 400 Osborne Street.
> Our agenda will be a discussion of board formation, possible filing
> as a 501c3, and prioritizing new projects. This will be a great
> launching point for the direction of St. Marys EarthKeepers, and we
> hope you all will be there.
> Barbara
> Barbara Jackson Ryan, Publisher
> St. Marys Magazine
> www.stmarysmagazine.com
> 912-729-1103
> barbara@stmarysmagazine.com
>
>
>