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Volunteers needed to harvest invasive Aquatic Plant from Ponds

Several environmental organizations are banding together in calling for volunteers to help remove invasive water chestnut (Trapa natans) from local ponds in the Blackstone and Ten Mile river watersheds, located in Southeast Massachusetts and rhode island. (This is nOT the type of water chestnut that you can eat!). The events will be held throughout the month of June and are open to all members of the community. no experience is necessary. invasive water chestnut has been identified in 19 locations throughout rhode island and at least 16 waterbodies in Massachusetts. it can impede recreational activities and cause significant economic and environmental harm. The floating plant’s foliage grows quickly and forms dense mats of vegetation that can interfere with paddling, boating, swimming, fishing, and flood storage capacity. if uncontrolled, water chestnut outcompetes native aquatic plants, jeopardizes biodiversity, alters fish and wildlife habitat, and disrupts the ecological balance of aquatic ecosystems. Water chestnut is difficult and costly to control once established, as it can produce large numbers of thorny seeds that can remain viable for several years.

Volunteers are needed at each event to lift and carry buckets of plants on shore or to hand-pull the weed from the water by paddling kayaks and canoes. Participants are encouraged to bring their own watercraft; however, complimentary canoes and/or kayaks will be provided at most locations for a limited number of registered participants. Motorboat boat owners can contribute (at some locations) to the effort by ferrying the muddy plants to and from open water to shore. Local landowners with compost areas can also assist, by offering space for the removed water chestnut to decay, as it is safe to compost and will not continue to spread when out of the water.

To join any of these opportunities, volunteers need to complete the registration form available at the Uxbridge Board of Health website or facebook page, or using the Qr code.

Additionally, the initiative is offering an informational webinar for registered participants to learn more about how to identify water chestnut and the importance of managing this aquatic invasive species, on June 6, 3-4 p.m. registration for this session is accessed via the same webpage or face- book sites described earlier.

The project is funded by a grant to nEiWPCC from the Southeast new England Program (SnEP)’s Watershed implementation grants to help restore aquatic habitats. Partners include the rhode island Department of Environmental Management (riDEM), Blackstone Valley Tourism Council (BVTC), Blackstone river Watershed Council (BrWC)/ Friends of the Blackstone, Ten Mile river Watershed Council, Lake Quinsigamond Watershed Association, Town of Uxbridge, the City of Central Falls, ri, the City of East Providence, ri, and the City of Attleboro, MA. The Uxbridge water chestnut removal event has been planned through a Massachusetts Municipal Vulnerability grant, and funded in part through the above grant.

About nEiWPCC: nEiWPCC is a regional commission that helps the states of the northeast preserve and advance water quality. We engage and convene water quality professionals and other interested parties from new England and new York to collaborate on water, wastewater, and environmental science challenges across shared regions, ecosystems,

Volunteers can participate in Water Chestnut removal on the following dates & locations:

• June 10th, Blackstone River (Central Falls, RI) 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.

• June 13th, 14th, Turner Reservoir (East Providence, RI) 5 - 8 p.m.

• June 17th, Lake Quinsigamond (Shrewsbury, MA) 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.

• June 17th, Turner Reservoir (East Providence, RI) 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.

• June 20th, Blackstone River (Central Falls, RI) 4 - 8 p.m.

• June 24th, Whitin Pond (Uxbridge, MA) 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Rain date June 25, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m.

• June 27th, 28th, Turner Reservoir (East Providence, RI) 5 - 8 p.m.

Fishing Fun @ Pout Pond Fishing Fun @ Pout Pond

Last month over 50 excited anglers of all ages participated in Pout Pond's 2nd Annual Fishing Derby. We could not have asked for a better day - the sun was shining and the fish were biting! Dozens of fish were weighed, measured, and released back to the pond.

Thanks to the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, who delivered and stocked the pond with rainbow trout and brown trout. Overall, anglers pulled 6 different species of fish out of Pout Pond: bluegill, pumpkinseed, rainbow trout, brown trout, crappie and largemouth bass. That’s pretty impressive!

Another big thank you to the Boy Scout volunteers from Troop 122 for all of their hard work registering participants and weighing and measuring all the fish that came in. We loved seeing all the smiling faces bringing in each ‘catch of the day’ and look forward to hosting again next year. Until then, we have a summer of activities planned! www.uxbridge-ma.gov/pout-pond-recreation-committee.

Welcome Summer Family Breakfast

St. Denis Church in Douglas will host a Welcome Summer Family Breakfast on Sunday, June 4th. The event will take place 8 a.m. to Noon, cost is $8 for adults, $4 for children (ages 6-12). Meals will include: pancakes, scrambled eggs, home fries, sausages, coffee, tea and juice.

Summer Raffles & More!

St. Denis is located at 23 Manchaug Rd. in Douglas. Tickets can be purchased in advance at www.Saint Denis Church.com or at the door.