River Dipper Volunteers Needed for Cavendish

Can you spare a little time for Cavendish Gorge this summer?  A volunteer River Dipper is urgently needed to help the Black River Action Team monitor for bacteria levels at this popular swimming spot.

The Black River Action Team is looking for one or two reliable, mature volunteers willing and able to be trained as "River Dippers" at the historic swimming hole known as Cavendish Gorge.  You'll need to be able to get yourself to the pre-arranged sampling site on Wednesday mornings between Memorial Day and Labor Day, and transport the carefully collected sample to the Ludlow wastewater treatment facility before 9:30 AM, ahead of the courier who picks up the samples.  Simple yet vital collection protocols must be followed when gathering the water, to avoid contamination of the sample.  Additionally, volunteers will be required to fill out a simple (but, again, vital) Chain of Custody form that will accompany the sample.

A chart will be generated by BRAT by Friday of the same week, displaying the cumulative bacteriological results for the Gorge - a volunteer will be needed to print off the full-color chart and post it at the Gorge in a small display case on a sign post.  This chart will aid visitors to the Gorge in making their recreation decisions.

Sampling takes roughly an hour each week, from parking and walking to the river, to collection and filling in the form, then delivering the sample to the treatment facility.

Mileage can be reimbursed, so volunteers should keep a log.  All supplies and equipment will be provided, as well as a BRAT tee shirt for each volunteer.

Can you or someone you know help?  Contact BRAT Director Kelly Stettner before February 20th by email (blackrivercleanup@gmail.com) or by leaving a detailed voicemail with your contact information at (802) 738-0456.