Litter Committee
Web Page

Goals:

• To remove trash from Sligo Creek through planned work events and individual vigilance
• To reduce the amount of trash reaching the park by working with County authorities, following COG's Sligo Creek Trash Reduction Plan and applying new technologies and educating watershed residents

A Range of Tasks:

• Work with business groups to reduce trash originating from commercial areas near the park
• Work with apartment managers and residents to reduce trash originating from apartment buildings near the park.
• Work with community groups such as scouts and civic associations to motivate residents to hold events and keep trash picked up in their own sections of the park.
• Lead one all-Sligo "Sweep the Creek" event each year
• Consult with Sligo Stewards about work needed in their sections
• Work with Stormwater Committee and Stewards to explore barriers and other technologies to keep street litter out of storm drains
• Work with the Environmental Advocacy Committee to reach County authorities on issues related to trash
• Encourage Park management to run an anti-litter campaign and suggest alterations, as needed, to the Trash-free Park policy
• Maintain litter page on the website
• Evaluate work and adjust goals once a year

Goals:

• To learn the identity and habits of native species, both plant and animal, which are now or once lived in Sligo Creek Park
• To restore to the parkland native species that once thrived there

A Range of Tasks:

• Establish a baseline of flora and fauna in the park, both native and non-native
• Encourage diversity of wildlife by creating or improving habitat for troubled species
• Suggest to the Board and Park and Planning any animals we should consider re-establishing in Sligo
• Monitor the effects of and collaborate with Park and Planning on their deer control project
• Work with the New Plantings Committee on selection of plants and Invasives Committee on priority control projects
• Maintain sightings page on the website and encourage its use
• Suggest educational walks to the Education and Outreach Committee and help implement them
• Answer specific questions asked by the public or by members of Friends of Sligo Creek, for example, what is the role of box turtles in the park?
• Maintain a Natural History/Ecology page on the website
• Evaluate work and adjust goals at least once a year

Goals:

• To learn the identity and habits of native plants which are growing or once grew in Sligo Creek Park
• To restore to the parkland native plants that once thrived there

A Range of Tasks:

• Consult with Park and Planning about what habitats should be encouraged in Sligo (swamp, meadow, hillside woods, lowland woods, mowed grass) and where
• Develop criteria for suitability of plant species and plant stock
• Maintain a list of trees and shrubs suitable for planting, including plants characteristics such as growing needs
• Encourage home owners to plant native trees and shrubs on their own property.
• Find and/or create a source of plants for replanting projects
• Maintain New Plantings web page
• Evaluate work and adjust goals at least once a year

Goals:

• To the extent feasible remove invasives in the park so plants native to the park can thrive
• Encourage long-term invasives control by educating the public about identifying invasives and controlling them on private property as well as parkland

A Range of Tasks:

• Maintain a list of invasive species found in Sligo Creek Park and post on website
• Work with the Park's Division of Natural Resources and the forest ecologist and staff as they develop policies to control invasives in the park
• Train people in plant recognition and techniques
• Maintain contact with New Plantings Committee so that planting decisions can be made promptly in cleared areas.
• Maintain contact with Sligo Stewards, tracking removal of invasives and replanting and mapping areas that have been restored. Work with Stewards to set priority areas for restoration
• Help Stewards organize vine-cutting and other invasives removal work events
• Create and maintain a tool library for reference and circulation, including supplies of gloves and cutters for group projects
• Maintain Invasives site on the web page
• Evaluate work and adjust goals at least once a year

Goals:

• Systematically monitor and record the water quality of Sligo Creek
• Educate the public about the importance of clean water for fish and wildlife

A Range of Tasks:

• Select monitoring sites and establish protocols, including frequency of sampling
• Organize teams to monitor chemical and biological changes in the stream. Test for the presence of macroinvertebrates
• Solicit and keep records of all contamination events, and consult with the County on its records for Sligo
• Make contact, as possible, with people/businesses causing contamination to try to remedy the situation and eliminate future problems
• Give water monitoring demonstrations to the public to educate and motivate support for policies that improve water quality
• Maintain Water Quality page on the website
• Evaluate work and adjust goals at least once a year

Stormwater Committee
Web Page

Goals:

• To educate residents in the Sligo Creek watershed, the general public, politicians and opinion leaders about effects of uncontrolled stormwater on the creek and what they can do to improve the creek's health
• To promote a more effective Municipal, County and State stormwater management control program
• To improve the water quality and general health of Sligo Creek by implementing stormwater control measures

A Range of Tasks:

• Implement a stormwater retrofit project in the Sligo Creek watershed to decrease water surges and improve water quality
• Label storm water drains in the Sligo Creek watershed
• Promote bayscaping, asking citizens to use their own property to help save the Bay
• Implement public education program on bayscaping
• Work with County authorities to improve storm water management
• Work with County agencies in updating stormwater management regulations
• Lobby to improve P&P Planning Board notifications
• Maintain a stormwater page on the website
• Evaluate work once a year and adjust goals as necessary

Goals:

• To inform residents in the Sligo Creek watershed, the general public, politicians, educators and other opinion leaders about the needs of Sligo Creek
• To encourage active participation of residents, community organizations and businesses in protecting and improving the watershed

A Range of Tasks:

• Work with Board, Sligo Stewards and committee coordinators to plan and execute educational activities and events
• Publicize "hands-on" work events in Sligo
• Write and send electronic newsletter on a regular basis. If resources allow, mail the newsletter to those without email addresses
• Maintain liaison with press, local scout, church and school organizations and citizens groups, to pull in help with work events and educational campaigns
• Work collaboratively with other watershed restoration groups
• Arrange for speakers for program meetings and leaders for educational walks and announce to membership and media
• Prepare outreach materials such as literature, displays, slide shows, t-shirts and other promotional pieces
• Organize a "welcome wagon" for new members
• Maintain a telephone list for members who do not use email
• Hold a call-every-member campaign once a year
• In collaboration with web master ensure website is maintained and that it reflects the organization's mission
• Evaluate work once a year and adjust goals and activities as necessary