Biocitizens—it’s rapid biotic assessment time!

Which means: time to get into the rivers and collect the bugs that live under rocks.

Biocitizen Corps in action on the Dead Branch—collecting benthic invertebrates to assess biosystem health
Biocitizen Corps in action on the Dead Branch—collecting benthic invertebrates to assess biosystem health

The bugs tell us—by their amount, variety and size—how oxygenated (& healthy) our rivers are: an annual “physical,” just like at the doctors’.

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The Biocitizen Corps reunites in the early Fall to care for our rivers, and you are invited to join us.

SCHEDULE:

We’ll meet on Sunday mornings at 9am at the Sojourner Truth monument in Florence, and jump in the Biocitizen van, and do 2 Rapid Biotic Assessments. Each assessment takes about 2 hours; with driving time added, our day of service will conclude at 3pm back at the monument.

We’ll need 4 volunteers for:

Sunday, Sept. 14, 9am-3pm

Sunday, Sept. 21, 9am-3pm    Thank you;  we’ve got our 4 volunteers

Sunday, Sept. 28, 9am-3pm

Sunday, Oct. 4, 9am-3pm

COST:

Director Kurt Heidinger will be donating his time for RBA 2015, in the service of our rivers and of educating Biocitizen Corps volunteers.

There is no cost for volunteers, but a donation to the Our Place 2015 Scholarship Fund will be greatly appreciated.

Last year’s Fund allowed 10 youngsters who needed financial assistance to spend a week in the woods and rivers exploring the five ecoregions of our Nonotuck biome. This year, we are hoping to raise enough money so we can invite 17 youngsters who would otherwise not have this opportunity.

Registration:

Please use the comment form. Tell us your, or the volunteer’s, name and what Sunday works for you. We’ll get back asap.

PS: IT”S FUN!!!

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