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The Newsletter of the Valparaiso Chain of Lakes Watershed Group,
Inc. August ‘04
Valparaiso
Chain of Lakes Watershed Group, Inc.
Our mission is to protect and maintain our lakes and
surrounding environs through education, conservation, pollution
monitoring, research, and invasive species control. We are committed to
waste reduction, recycling and the use of best land-use practices to
ensure that our lakes remain quality habitats for fish, wildlife, and
human recreational use.
Members in
attendance: Walt Breitinger, Kevin Breitzke, Eric Biddinger, Jim Rowe,
Mary Lou Phillips, Dave Hamilla, Noel Evans, Alan Resetar, Louise
Karwowski, Ginny Sherman and Betty Luckett, Warren Webb
Treasurers Report by
Warren Webb: ending balance $2,029.58
On behalf of Phil Rowe, instead of sending flowers, memorials were contributed to a total of $700.00.
Bioblitz:
Alan Resetar, who headed the animal surveyors during Porter County’s first (April 17th ) BioBlitz shared a recently published 2004 fish study of our 12 lakes, which included fish species and water quality. Though the study was not conducted during our ’blitz, the data will be included as a supplement to our final BioBlitz Report.
The Bioblitz Plant Detective Dave Hamilla revealed his findings.
Botanist Hamilla headed the group of plant surveyors during the BioBlitz. His intent was to identify what was there at that particular time. Many plants could not be specifically identified due to the time of year. For instance, many types of sedges were seen, but could not be identified due to lack of flowers present. A leaf may look like 20 different plants, requiring the flowers for specific identification.
In general, the Camp Lawrence sight has high biodiversification and is capable of maintaining itself without our help provided that no new disturbances occur.
192 plants were
identified as well as 164 animals.
Dicots-118 Monocots-31 Gymnosperms-6
15 families 12 families 1 family
8 grasses
7 sedges
1 rushes
15 others
Identified
non-flowering plants
Ferns-4 Mosses-30 Fungi-2 Algae-1
2 families 15 families 1 family 1 family
Once again, it was noted that our area has one of the greatest diversities of all national park areas. Sights that have Floristic Quality Index values of 35 or higher are very valuable areas and are grabbed up by environmental groups because they are significant natural areas. Camp Lawrence is such an area. These numbers are derived through a very complicated formula but are dependent on studies such as our bioblitz.
His slide show included stories such as the one relating how the Service Berry Bush/Tree was named. The dead of the frontiers men could not be buried in the frozen ground of winter. In fact, it wasn’t until spring when this plant was flowering that the dead from the previous winter season could be buried, thus, it’s name. The flower from the Skunk Cabbage gives thermal heat equal to 7 degrees warmer than the surrounding environment.
Botanist Dave Hamilla truly presented an informative picture of the plant diversity available at the Camp Lawrence.
July 31st Lake of Four Seasons Lake Day 12:00, contact Ron Bedwell 574-946-0919
Next annual elections will be held in September. We need to fill the vice-president and secretary positions. Nominations will be opened at the August meeting. If you would like to be considered for an office, please notify Walt Breitinger.
Home Composting Courses, offered by Porter County Solid Waste Management
District & Porter Co. Purdue Extension Office, will be on August 26th at the Kouts Library and September 2nd at the Porter County Administration Center. Composting offers a unique opportunity to recycle while producing rich soil great for gardening. For more information please call 465-3694.
August 16th
Valparaiso Chain of Lakes Watershed Group
6:30 PM, Porter Co. Administration Building
Respectfully Submitted,
Mary Lou Phillips, Secretary
The following story ran in
newspapers across the country including the News-Sentinel and the
Chicago Sun Times: