Earth Cares
Last Saturday [September 15, 2007], I was fortunate to be one of several volunteers who were involved in a riffle dwelling benthic macro invertebrate study - which translates into collecting small creatures in rapidly moving water at the bottom of rivers. The purpose of the activity is to assess the health of the waters in Connecticut. Are you aware that we have nearly 6,000 miles of rivers and streams in our small state?! If I remember correctly, that is equivalent in length to the borders of the United States and Canada and the United States and Mexico!
Certain creatures are very sensitive to polluted waters and can't survive in those places. Thus, if several kinds of these creatures are found in the rivers, the water is clean enough to support their existence and our health. Which leads me to ask, how are you helping maintain the health of our water? Do you use toxic cleaners and put chemicals on your trees, bushes and
lawn that are unfriendly to the earth? Are you aware how wonderful plain,
inexpensive white vinegar is as a cleaner instead of ammonia? Try Simple Green and Citri-Solv which are other cleaners which don' hurt our earth, smell great and are effective.
Volunteer for the riffle dwelling benthic macro invertebrate study next September!! You'll have a wonderful time and will learn a great deal. The Pomperaug River Watershed Coalition sponsors the program each year. Expand your experiences, you'll be happy you did. Meanwhile, think about how you are helping our earth.
- commentary by Brenda Weir |
