BATS training Session
(Biological Assessment Teams)
WMA 5 Ambassador Update
By Marianne Butler
ECO-ART
The Puffin Cultural Forum will be presenting an exhibition entitled, Toxic Landscapes: Artists Examine the Environment beginning January 6 and running through March 2, 2002. This show features the works of 65 US eco-artists – that is, artists whose art is an intrinsic part of their ecological activism. The Puffin Foundation Ltd. has mounted this traveling exhibition to demonstrate how the arts can be used to change our collective awareness about environmental issues.
The Cultural Forum is inviting school and community groups to see the exhibit and participate in their workshops. Several of the New York and New Jersey – based artists will be available to speak to groups about their art and environmental activism.
ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS
I am excited to take part in the workshops at Puffin Cultural Forum and it is my pleasure to welcome you to take part in this educational opportunity. I will speaking to the groups about the concept of a watershed, and help the students define and locate themselves within the Hackensack River Watershed. The Cultural Forum is located adjacent to a section of Bergen County's Overpeck Park on the northernmost tip of the Hackensack Meadowlands.
I will demonstrate how watersheds are affected by non-point source pollution (pollution that cannot be traced to a specific source, such as lawn fertilizers and pesticides, litter, motor oil runoff from parking lots, etc.) which is the most significant pollution problem affecting our watershed. For those who have seen the classroom presentation with the enviroscape, I will have a variety of other hands-on activities to demonstrate these principles.
Funds are available to subsidize bus transportation to and from your school and admittance is free of charge.
If you are interested in scheduling a workshop for your class or group, please contact Puffin Cultural Forum (located on 20 East Oakdene Ave. in Teaneck) project director Tim Blunk at (201) 836-8923 or contact me at the office of the Hackensack Riverkeeper (201) 692-8440 or via email at mkb353@hotmail.com.
| ANNOUNCING... BATS training Session (Biological Assessment Teams) |
As the watershed ambassador for WMA 5, I am assisting the NJ Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP), Division of Watershed Management to monitor the rivers and watersheds through volunteer monitoring programs called River Assessment Teams (RATS) and Biological Assessment Teams (BATS).
The purpose of this program is to improve water quality by exploring the relationships between people and the environment, nurturing community-based environmental activities and empowering residents to make responsible and informed decisions regarding their watershed.
Learn the protocols used by the NJDEP to sample and visually assess local waterways. Volunteers from local watershed organizations, environmental commissions, and concerned citizens are encouraged to attend this workshop to gain the skills necessary for establishing a monitoring system within local communities. The workshop includes both a morning classroom session as well as an afternoon session.
When: Saturday, April 6 at the Closter Nature Center
What: BATS Training session held by NJ Watershed Ambassador Program, a project of NJDEP and Americorps
For more information and to register: Marianne Butler: 201-692-8440 or mkb353@hotmail.com
(If anyone is interested in volunteering a few hours for a River Assessment or Biological Assessments please feel free to phone as well.)