Kayaking for Water Chestnuts Removal!

This is one of my favorite events: join us & the Charles River Watershed Association on Thurs, July 19th 5-7:30pm for an event of kayaking the Newton part of the Charles to remove invasive water chestnuts.

Volunteers will meet at the Charles River Canoe and Kayak boathouse, located at 2401 Commonwealth Avenue (Rt 30) in Newton (Auburndale) MA. Directions can be found on their website here: http://www.paddleboston.com/newton/directions.php

There will be people there that are new and have no experience – don’t worry! You will be provided with all of the training and equipment you will need for the day (boats, paddles, life jackets, baskets, gloves, etc.).

After a quick introduction on the invasive waterchestnut, volunteers will hop in canoes that are graciously provided to us for free from Charles River Kayak and Canoe and paddle to specified locations to start hand-pulling the waterchestnuts from the river. (We were the first group to do it this year where, along with local neighbors of the river, we hand-pulled 5 tons!) Once our baskets are filled, we will paddle to the designated dumping area - either a dumpster or composting site on land. At the end of the day, you’ll be able to see the progress you and your group have made in eradicating these plants and clearing the river.

Please make sure you bring enough water (about 2 pints), sunscreen, and clothes & flip flops that you don't mind getting soggy/muddy.

I would also recommend some snacks and a hat to protect from the summer sun. We will provide some snacks and water as well, but it's good to be prepared!

T accessible:

By Commuter Rail Take the MBTA Commuter Rail's Worcester/Framingham Line (http://www.mbta.com/) to Auburndale. Exit toward Auburn Street and turn left onto Auburn St. Follow Auburn until it meets Commonwealth Ave. We are across the street. The distance is approximately 0.5 miles and usually takes about 10 minutes to walk.

From the MBTA (D Train) Green Line Take the MBTA Green Line (http://www.mbta.com/) (D train) to Riverside. Cross the parking lot and turn left onto Grove St. Bear left onto Hancock St. Turn left onto Woodland and then turn left onto Auburn St. Follow Auburn until it meets Commonwealth Ave. We are across the street. The distance is approximately 1.2 miles and usually takes about 20 minutes to walk.

(Last time I got off at the Brandeis/Roberts stop on the Fitchburg/South Acton Line (http://www.mbta.com/schedules_and_maps/rail/lines/?route=FITCHBRG) on the Commuter Rail, and biked for about 12-15 minutes to the kayak rental site -- just another possibility!)

The Boston Volunteers
Big Enough to Deliver, Small Enough to Care
Learn more: www.BostonVolunteer.org (http://www.bostonvolunteer.org/)

Connect with our popular nonprofit:
http://www.facebook.com/BostonVolunteers
Discover exclusive Boston Volunteer opportunities:
https://twitter.com/#!/BostonVolunteer (https://twitter.com/#%21/BostonVolunteer)