Gale was elected President in 2003 and hit the ground running. Sleepy Creek Watershed Asso. would not be here today if not for Gale Foulds. One of the first things she did as President in 2003 was Incorporate SCWA as a not for profit corporation, registering it with the WV Secretary of State.
Gale set up Stream Monitoring Workshops in March & May, She set dates for Steam clean-ups – April 5th Annual Potomac Watershed Clean-up– April 12th Make It Shine Campaign – Tires & Trash on May 10th. She then organized an impromptu clean-up November 15th where an illegal dump on Luther Michael Road had happened.
Seven watershed highway signs were installed in July 2003 along 522 & Rt. Rt. 9 East with several more on other county roads.
In September Sleepy Creek Watershed was recognized as the Eastern Panhandle Conservation District as the Watershed of the Year. We were recognized for the extraordinary efforts of SCWA’s 45 members in protecting and preserving Sleepy Creek & its watershed and in educating the community on the value of this precious natural resource in Morgan County. The Association was also the recipient of a $5000.00 Stream Partners Grant to begin a new watershed assessment project.
And that was just the first year!!!
2004
March Workshop: Learn how to measure the water quality of the creek near you!
Sleepy Creek Clean-up – April 3rd (Alice Ferguson Foundation) & April 24th (WV Make It Shine)
The Watershed Assessment Project begins with a review of Part 1: Existing Studies & Data, then Part 2: Identification of Watershed Concerns & Part 3: Land Use Analysis
2005…
The SCWA was named the West Virginia Watershed Association of the year for 2005 at the September 2005 WV Watershed Celebration Day. The recognition was accompanied with a $5000.00 cash award and more highway signs to be posted in Morgan County. “Having citizens who are willing and able to step up and make a positive difference helps us promote a healthy environment” said WV DEP Cabinet Secretary Stephanie R. Timmermeyer.
2006…
The SCWA received a $5000.00 Grant from the WV Stream Partners Program to implement water quality improvement projects. The grant is intended for community organizations to compile comprehensive educational handouts for landowners along Sleepy Creek to inform them about stream bank stabilization, riparian buffers, septic tank management, and other related water quality issues. Part of the grant was used to plant a demonstration riparian buffer along Sleepy Creek using trees, shrubs & other native vegetation.
2007…
Gale received numerous awards for the work she initiated for Sleepy Creek: In 2007, she received a congratulatory letter from Governor Joe Manchin for positively impacting our community through her volunteer service with SCWA.
She published 3 brochures through the generosity of the WV Stream Partners Program: How to Protect & Care for your Riparian Buffer – How to Dispose of Household Hazardous Materials – and Stormwater Management on your Property.
2008…
Two more brochures were published: How to Maintain Your Septic System & How to Protect Endangered Species in the Sleepy Creek Watershed : Harperella, Wood Turtles & Eastern Lampmussels.
SCWA received the Water Quality Monitoring Award at the Annual WV Watershed Celebration Day. SCWA Water Monitoring team was recognized for their volunteer efforts in monitoring water quality along the main stream of Sleepy Creek and the Indian Run tributary.
2009…& 2010…
The WV Watershed Network recognized Sleepy Creek Watershed Association, two years in a row, for their efforts in the Outreach and Education category. Winners of this award have demonstrated their ability to reach targeted community audiences with their watershed message. Winners have provided successful watershed environmental education programming for their community. The SCWA outreach and educational efforts have improved public knowledge concerning the local watershed and importance of clean water.
2011…& 2012…
In 2011, the Sleepy Creek Watershed Asso. had worked to involve residents and partners in many aspects of environmental protection. It sponsored an “Introduction to Marcellus Shale Drilling” forum, continued to develop septic clean-up solutions, educating residents of the importance of planting trees along stream banks and installed a porous pavement parking lot in the Morgan County Industrial Park.
The 2012 Watershed Celebration Day Project Implementation Award was presented in September. “For the implementation of significant projects to improve or reduce degradation of the health of our watershed.”
2013…
SCWA was awarded a $2,500.00 Stream Partners Grant from WV Watershed Network. The grant was used to support and promote the SCWA through upgrading of its website and interfacing with social media and other technology applications.
The Perfect TEN (Trees, Entomology & Neighbors) award was presented to SCWA at the Watershed Celebration Day gathering this year. SCWA was recognized for its efforts to provide and plant trees to increase riparian buffers, monitor stream water quality and educate residents and local officials on water quality and its importance in the local community.
Throughout Gale’s tenure as president, SCWA coordinated and participated in numerous community outreach and education activities; riparian buffers, rain gardens, and other plantings; homeowner septic pumping and repairs; porous pavement demonstrations; volunteer WV Save Our Streams monitoring; and WV watershed representation during the yearly Chesapeake Bay Day on Capitol Hill.
- WV Make It Shine Program: Each Spring SCWA participates in this program. They focus on clean-up of solid waste and litter around Sleepy Creek and its tributaries.
- Newsletter and Newspaper Articles: The SCWA continues to publish and distribute a semiannual newsletter to members and interested parties, currently numbering over 150. This acts as a tool to encourage community involvement, update on current projects, and provide environmental ‘helpful hints.’ SCWA will also continue publishing newspaper articles highlighting activities and events the association promotes.
- Local Fairs and Festivals: As appropriate, the SCWA sets up a booth at the Morgan County Expo and Master Gardener’s annual Plant Fair, & to annually support the local 4-H programs, and to highlight the activities and opportunities within the watershed.
- Save Our Stream (SOS) Workshops: Every year SCWA hosts a stream monitoring workshop to attract the interest of citizens and to educate on the process of defining a healthy stream.
- Public Meetings: SCWA hosts public meetings every year to discuss current events in the watershed and invite guest speakers to discuss local questions and concerns.
GALE WILL BE MISSED!
Help us protect this unique natural resource.