Environmental Volunteers Sought

October and early November offer several outdoor, environmental volunteer opportunities.  Assist the Newtown Rotary Club, Pootatuck Watershed Association, Conservation Commission, and more between October 10 and November 5.

Participate in Make A Difference Day, a river trash cleanup sponsored by the Newtown Rotary Club on Saturday, October 10, from 8 am to noon. Meet at 87 South Main Street. Groups will disperse to a variety of waterways throughout town along lakes and rivers. Volunteers are welcome to help the rotary pick up trash along the Pootatuck River, Deep Brook, the boat launches, etc. Contact pat@associatedrefuse.com or call 426-8870.

Help maintain a riparian buffer near Al’s Trail along Deep Brook on one of three consecutive Thursdays at anytime between 10 am and 4 pm on October 22, 29, and November 5 at the end of Trades Lane. Help maintain a restored habitat. Bring hand tools and gloves to assist with clearing invasive plants and vines. Training provided. Contact jbeldenpootatuck@yahoo.com.

Test the town’s streams for macroinvertebrates — insects found on stream beds that indicate the water’s health. Join Conservation Commission Chairmen Joe Hovious and others on October 17 from 8 am to noon to help the state, town, Pootatuck Watershed Association, and the local Trout Unlimited chapter collect and catalog samples and monitor water quality. Contact jchpvious@snet.net or call 270-1960.