News
News
Green Umbrella is planning to have another invasive alien plant workshop this spring. This will use the same format as our very successful workshop last spring: presentations by each of 4 panelists, followed by a question and answer session. The workshop is planned for late February or early March - the date will be listed on our calender within the next week or two.
To get ready for this event, check out this new manual put together by the Center for Applied Ecology at Northern Kentucky University:
http://www.nkyurbanforestry.org/SitePages/download_files/Invasive%20Plant%20Control.pdf
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Please take a minute to read this request for help from our friend Pat Timm at Licking River Greenway.
We know you've been waiting to hear what's happening on the Licking River Greenway, so we've launched a website where you can keep up with us: lickingrivertrail.org. The City of Covington is seeking a Kentucky Recreational Trails grant to pave the first section of the bike/hike trail. Contact your state legislators and let them know that the greenway, parks and trails are a top priority for investment. Thanks, and see you on the Trail! Patricia Timm Project DirectorLicking River Greenway and Trails
Bring Federal Dollars to N. Kentucky
Call your Representatives today!
Most trails are built using Federal transportation dollars. This money comes to the State and is sent to local projects through a competitive grant process. Our legislators need to know that YOU want funds to come to Northern Kentucky to restore the Licking River Greenway and build the bike trails. Contact your State Representative and your State Senator. It just takes two minutes!
Call the Kentucky State Legislative Office at 1-800-372-7181 and leave a toll free message for your Representative and/or Senator. Tell your legislator that you want the state to help fund the Licking River Greenway and Trails.
Show your Support for Trails Write your Representatives today! Do you have more time? Write a brief, personal message to your legislator. Tell WHY the proposed greenway and trail is important to you, your friends and family.
Kenton County Residents
Representatives Thomas Kerr and Arnold SimpsonSenator Jack Westwood Thomas R. Kerr, District 64: 5415 Old Taylor Mill, Taylor Mill, KY 41015
Arnold Simpson, District 65: 112 West 11th Street, Covington, KY 41011
Jack Westwood, District 23: 209 Graves Avenue, Erlanger KY 41018
Campbell County Residents
Representatives Joe Fischer and Dennis Keene
Senator Katie Stine Dennis Keene, District 67: 1040 Johns Hill Road, Wilder, KY 41076Joseph M. Fischer, District 68:126 Dixie Place, Ft. Thomas KY 41075 Katie Kratz Stine, District 24: 21 Fairway Drive, Southgate KY 41071
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UPARR is Back! Support Urban Parks Today.
Congressman Albio Sires (NJ) has recently introduced comprehensive legislation that would reestablish the goals and principles of the Urban Parks and Recreation Recovery Act (UPARR) that was so important to landscape architects. H.R. 3734, the Urban Revitalization and Livable Communities Act would provide grants to states and localities to create, rehabilitate, and maintain urban parks and recreational facilities across the country.
Under the legislation, the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) would give priority to projects that: connect children and other community members to the outdoors for physical activity; connect to public transportation; and contain safe biking and walking trails or routes. Notably, eligible projects should also use environmentally beneficial features such as "sustainable landscape features," tree canopy coverage, improved stormwater management practices and increased green infrastructure, which are all techniques that landscape architects excel at employing. The measure also encourages and provides grants for community involvement and planning opportunities.
With the decline of UPARR, there has been no dedicated federal funding for urban parks since 2001. So, seeing the tremendous need for this valuable program, Congressman Sires is working to move this "urban parks legislation" through Congress and he needs your help.
I hope that you will join us in supporting this important legislation that will not only help our communities, but will also bring opportunities to landscape architects. Please contact your Member of Congress and urge them to join as a co-sponsor of H.R. 3734, the Urban Revitalization and Livable Communities Act today!
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Working for a Permanent Easement Incentive
The enhanced tax deduction for conservation easement donations has helped America’s land trusts work with farmers, ranchers and other modest-income landowners to increase the pace of land conservation by at least 250,000 acres a year! But unless Congress acts, this important conservation tool will expire at the end of 2009!
Fortunately, a majority of both Democrats and Republicans in the House have co-sponsored legislation to make the easement incentive permanent! We need your help securing more co-sponsors for H.R. 1831 and S. 812; 236 Representatives and 30 Senators have already signed on, but we'll need even more support to get the job done this year!
Congressman Driehaus from Greated Cincinnati has signed on as a co-sponsor. Please contact your congressman an ask them to co-sponsor this bill.
_____________________________________________________________________Upgraded Campground
The scent of trees and brush wafts in the air of the cabin.A lake sprawls for miles, ringed by a forested shore and dotted with people fishing from boats.From this campsite, Cincinnati Mills Mall is about three miles to the north. The Ronald Reagan Highway is a little more than two miles south. It is in the middle of 39,755-resident Springfield Township at 2,465-acre Winton Woods Park.This year, the Hamilton County Park District hopes to draw more local residents to the park’s campground on the shores of Winton Lake. The district is close to completing a $2.7 million expansion of the facility following several years of work.Most prominent among those upgrades are the eight “housekeeping” cabins that have been added, a step up from the 10 no-frills camping cabins that were already at the park’s campground.
The one-bedroom cabins have all the creature comforts of home: heating and air conditioning, stove, refrigerator, microwave, a television, a bathroom with shower, provided linens and other amenities that may beg the question: Are we still camping?
“You’re not roughing it,” said Jim Rahtz, deputy director of the Hamilton County Park District.
But, he said, “It’s something we’ve had requests for. This gives (local residents) the opportunity for a vacation away from home without a lot of time traveling or a lot of dollars on fuel.”
The cozy cabins, which comfortably sleep four adults and a number of children in a loft, will rent for a planned $115 per night or $690 for an entire week.
Tricia Murray, a 38-year-old Greenhills wife and mother of four, is what one might call a frequent user of the campground at Winton Woods.
She stays there, by her estimate, five to six times per year for at least four to five days.
Murray said she’ll likely try a new cabin at least once and is happy that the park she enjoys so much could draw more attention.
Friendly staff, the setting and the fact that her children can play without fear of traffic keep her coming back, she said.
“I consider Winton Woods the best kept little secret,” she said.
The nearest comparable public camping cabins are at Hueston Woods State Park near Oxford and Cowan Lake State Park in Wilmington, Rahtz said.
Those interested in a more primitive camping experience can stay at tent-ready sites or at motorhome/trailer lots at the park.
Total sites – including the cabins, tent areas and motorhome/trailer lots – will be up to 123 from 100, with more sites having electric, water and sewer hook-ups.
The park district will begin taking reservations for the housekeeping cabins on March 16. Call 513-851-2267.
For other information on camping options in general, visit Öwww.hamiltoncountyparks.org/rec_camping/camping.htm; or call 513-521-7275
Upcoming events
- Wildflower Festival(event)(26 days)
- Flower a thon(event)(41 days)
- Workshop on Invasive Alien Plant Removal(event)(48 days)
