Watershed Coalition Needs Volunteers

SOUTHBURY — The Pomperaug River Watershed Coalition (PRWC) is sponsoring “Streamwalk Training” on June 9, at Bent of the River Audubon Center, 185 East Flat Hill Road. Volunteers will learn how to do a visual survey of a stream from members of the United States Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).

The June 9 schedule includes the streamwalk volunteer training by Todd Bobowick of NRCS beginning at 8:30 am, with both an indoor presentation and a walk in the adjacent Pomperaug River. At 11:30 am, Peter Siegel will play songs about the environment and snacks will be available. Mr Siegel performs original and traditional songs of political and environmental significance.

At 12:30 there will be a presentation by Joe DeRisi of PRWC about the Adopt-A-Stream Program for volunteers interested in continuing to monitor streams in the watershed.  At 1:30 there will be a discussion about the RapidBio-Assessment method as outlined by the Conn Department of Environmental Protections. This will be presented by Albin Weber of the Naugatuck chapter of Trout Unlimited.

“The simple fact is that many people are unaware of how their actions or how various land uses can change water quality,” cites Joe DeRisi, a coordinator of Pomperaug River Watershed Coalition. “By having local volunteers walk the rivers and streams in the Pomperaug Watershed, our project puts those volunteers in direct contact with the river and its surrounding environment. Thus, they are able to learn about how natural and manmade elements affect the environment.”

Once initial surveys of all the streams in the watershed have been completed, volunteers will begin to “adopt” sections of streams near their homes. Volunteers will help with river cleanup projects, water quality monitoring, bank restoration projects and participate in other monitoring programs.

Currently, 18 streamwalk segments have been assigned to volunteers and information about the streams collected. Many segments still remain for volunteers to walk, particularly on the Weekeepeemee and Nonnewaug rivers.

Those who pre-register before June 1, by phone or email, will have a free lunch made available. All events are free. For more information or to register for the training and lunch, call Joe DeRisi at 267-1700 or send email to info@pomperaug.org.