EVENTS

Invasive Water Chestnut Removal Volunteer Project

Charles River Watershed Association and Charles River Canoe and Kayak, in collaboration with MA Department of Conservation and Recreation, are partnering to remove the invasive aquatic plant, water chestnut, from the Newton and Waltham area of the Charles River. In both 2007 and 2008, volunteers mobilized to hand pull the weeds from the river, and we will again be organizing individuals and groups to remove the weeds in summer 2009.

Water chestnut, an invasive aquatic plant, grows very densely, and can choke the water in shallow sections of the river and along the shoreline, severely limiting light (a critical element of aquatic ecosystems), decreasing oxygen in the water, and preventing boat passage. In order to prevent water chestnut from spreading, the plants need to be removed before they drop their spiky seeds into the river, which happens in early August. Click here for more information about water chestnuts from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Read an article about water chestnut removal that appeared in the Newton Tab in July 2007.

Join in next year's effort yourself, or with friends and family. We will be announcing the schedule for public events in early June 2009, and we also welcome groups of up to 60 volunteers at any time during the month of July.

We will provide canoes (or you can bring your own), baskets, maps, and a short training session about water chestnuts. Volunteers should wear old, weather-appropriate clothing, shoes that can get wet, and bring rubber or work gloves if you have them.  

For more information about this volunteer project, contact Rebecca at Charles River Watershed Association. Click here for contact information.