HarborLAB volunteers had an amazing Friday with Astoria-based Variety Boys and Girls Club on the Neversink Reservoir. We use our second kayak and canoe fleet to introduce city kids to their drinking water resources, thanks to a unique permit from the NYC Department of Environmental Protection and a grant and in-kind donations from the Catskill Watershed Corporation. The generosity of our volunteers allows us to offer this program for free.
The Neversink Reservoir is always gorgeous. In August black-eyed susan and goldenrod flowers light up the shores with yellow while speckled old man of the forest mushrooms and amethyst coral fungi do the quiet work of recycling forest floor nutrients. Wild, low-bush blueberry bushes are still yielding fruit but the birds are working them over fast! The kids discovered these, and frogs and blue jay feathers and more during their paddles and forest hikes. They learned about how forests prevent erosion and run-off pollution, allowing NYC and surrounding counties to enjoy unfiltered water.
A huge thanks to NYCDEP and CWC (whose educator, Diane Galusha, also helped lead the forest walk!) and the amazingly generous HarborLAB volunteers. A special thanks this week to Maribel Egipciaco for transporting us in her minivan.
To volunteer or support this program, please email volunteer@harborlab or support@harborlab.org.
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