January
January 29 - Presentation to Mayor Coleman's "communitywide brainstorming" event
This presentation will cover the Goodale rain garden project, and urge the Mayor to consider such ideas for retrofitting existing structures, and when infilling with new development.
February
February 6, 7:30 PM - 1st Quarter 2008 FOSR meeting, at Panera on Mill Run
February 16, 10:00 - River walk - The Bluffs of Shawnee Hills
Beginning at O'Shaugnessy Dam, walk a loop along and among the bluffs on the west wall of the river gorge below the dam, then back along the bank. Get a glimpse of what the gorge looked like before the dam was built. If the lake and river are frozen, the open water below the dam attracts water birds.
March
March 22, 10:00 - River Walk - The Skunk Cabbages of Dublin
Tour the boardwalks of the East unit of Dublin Kiwanis Park to see skunk cabbage, watercress, and trout lilies in a forested, spring-fed wetland along the river. Expect mud! We can also tour the riverway access and spring in the West unit.
April
April 26, 9:00 - 12:00 - Greenlawn and Berliner riverbank cleanup
In conjunction with Earth Day events, this annual cleanup collects floating trash that has washed up onto the banks after winter high water. Meet by the fire training academy at the west end of the Greenlawn bridge.
FOSR will have a booth in Goodale Park for the Earth Day event after 12:00.
May
May 7, 7:30 PM - 2nd Quarter FOSR meeting, at Panera on Mill Run
May 24 - North Bank Park Cleanup
Celebrate Spring at this annual downtown cleanup running from the confluence of the Olentangy and Scioto rivers, through North Bank Park, to the Santa Maria in Battelle Riverfront Park. This cleanup comes one week before the Riverfest in Genoa Park.
May 25, 10:00 - River Walk - Made in the Shade in Hayden
Celebrate the greening of the woods with a tour of the Hayden Falls gorge along Griggs Reservoir. Spot birds and wildflowers, and try out the new stairway and boardwalk.
June
June 4, 7:30 PM - June FOSR meeting, at Panera on Mill Run
June 6, 9:00 - 3:00 - Invasive garlic mustard and honeysuckle removal at Indian Village Camp and Griggs Caves
Work with volunteers from BMW Financial Services to pull garlic mustard and cut honeysuckle, to let native plants grow back in an area heavily used for educational programs.
June 11, time TBD - Presentation on pollution in the Scioto, at the Raisin Rack in Westerville
FOSR presents a narrated slideshow giving examples of solid and liquid pollution in the Scioto, and examples of solutions to these problems.
July
July 2, 6:30 PM - July FOSR meeting, at Panera on Mill Run
August
August 6, 6:30 PM - August FOSR meeting, at Panera on Mill Run
August 16, 10:00 - River Walk - Cool Off in a Cave
Tour Indian Village Camp to see a beautiful forested ravine featuring several small caves. See the results of our honeysuckle removals from the last three years, as native varieties begin to grow back.
September
September 3, 6:30 PM - September FOSR meeting, at Panera on Mill Run
September 12, 9:00 - Invasive plants removal, Duranceau Park - date changed
This annual event clears honeysuckle that is overgrowing the park and shading out native plants. Past removals have been at Indian Village Camp and Duranceau Park, across the river from Griggs Park.
October
October 17, 9:00 - Invasive plants removal, Duranceau Park
This annual event clears honeysuckle that is overgrowing the park and shading out native plants. Past removals have been at Indian Village Camp and Duranceau Park, across the river from Griggs Park.
There is also a gallery of event images here and a Columbus Dispatch multimedia slideshow here.
October 25, 10:00 - River walk - Leaves and Lakes
Tour the walking trails of Twin Lakes park (aka Area S) on Rt 745 North of Shawnee Hills, to see the fall colors in a mature hardwood forest resembling the ravines of Highbanks. Bring binoculars for the numerous herons who have a rookery on one fork of the lake.
November
November 8, 10:00 - River Walk - Scioto Mile
Tour the site of the upcoming Scioto Mile project between Battelle Riverfront Park and John W. Galbreath Park.
December
December 3, 7:30 PM - 4th Quarter 2008 FOSR meeting, location TBD