2007 – 2008 Highlights

Education

• Awarded grant of $8446 from South Shore Foundation in June 2007. Gay Vekovius and Bev Dunaway led this effort. Karen and Cliff Shelby developed a new logo for Friends, a brochure and educational handouts for citizens. As part of this grant, we:
• Enhanced and redesigned web site with special assistance from Board member and webmaster, Mike Tipton. You can now join or renew your membership on-line!
• Created position of Communications Director and appointed David Haynes. David is doing a great job and designing a newsletter format we think you'll like.
• Co-sponsored two stream team events due to efforts of Board member, Jane Darr.
• Crooked Creek Clean-up at Yellville City Park with local Girl Scouts—June 2007
• Hicks Creek in Cooper Park with Mountain Home Park and Recreation L.C. Sammons Youth Center—June 2007
• Developed new Friends logo, logo for Watershed Education (WE) Project, WE brochure and handouts. Thanks to designers Karen and Cliff Shelby for their artistry and generous support.
• Simplified and produced print messages about watershed protection on colorful cards for handout or as inserts for brochures. (click to see cards)
• Executed advertising campaign.
• Distributed print media to local government offices, real estate offices, tourist centers, Bull Shoals Vision Committee.
• Produced and placed newspaper ads and articles. Thanks to KTLO and area newspapers for their continued support.
• Coordinated North Arkansas Stormwater Workshops as part of WE Project, August 2007. Special thanks to Gay Vekovius for coordinating this event. Thanks to North Arkansas Fly Fishers (NAFF) who contributed $500 for food and refreshments.
• Sponsored public education evenings in the watershed on Dissolved Oxygen and Source Water protection.
• Supported members and citizens in understanding state laws and agency policies in order to secure compliance with water laws and regulations. Friends has become a major source of information for the general public. Friends also regularly supports other citizen groups focused on specific issues or areas of concern.