Adopt-the-River underway

Pick a stretch of river, a pond, lake, stream or wetland that you visit regularly, keep it clear of trash, and then pick a fun activity that will help keep the Black River healthy, clean, safe and enjoyable. What kind of activity, you may ask? So long as the bed and banks are not disturbed (think gravel-mining, tree cutting, bridge building, etc.), there are a hundred options! Projects can be artistic (nature journaling, landscape painting, poetry, photography) or recreational (a tubing trip or paddle outing, fly-tying workshop or birdwatching), scientific (water quality sampling, bacteria counting, fish habitat monitoring, culvert and storm drain monitoring) or just plain fun (aquatic bug hunt, wildlife tracking, invasive plant management --yeah, that can be fun!), you get to do a project or activity that suits your needs and interests. The BRAT will help you get started as an individual, group, organization, business or club with designing a customized project that can meet curriculum requirements, community engagement or social responsibility mandates, and the interests and passions of you and/or your team. Most activities can be configured to be low- or no-cost, and BRAT is committed to being a full partner in this adoption: we'll help with equipment, training and support in every way possible. An exciting facet to the adoption program is its flexible and organic nature; you can change your activity from year to year or adapt it as your needs, abilities or interests change. Partnerships often develop between various entities, and you may find that a joint effort is born somewhere along the way! There is ongoing work to develop an online interactive map of the Black River watershed, which will spotlight each adopted area with photos if you wish and a link to your business, organization, or team. Intrigued yet? Let's talk and see how the BRAT can help you connect with the Black River while you help the Black River stay healthy!