Get Involved

Are you interested in getting involved in local research projects?  There are many ways to participate and many projects that could use your help!  We're currently working on compiling a list of programs, organizations, and other ways to get involved.  If you would like your program or organization to be listed here, please send an email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

Citizen Science: American Eel Research

Project Description: The American eel (Anguilla rostrata) is a migratory fish that is born in the Atlantic Ocean and enters North American tributaries as tiny "glass eels" each spring. The species is in decline over much of its range, and baseline studies are needed for further management. Teams of scientists and students collect glass eels using net and trap devices on several Hudson River tributaries. The juvenile fish are counted, weighed, and released alive, and other environmental data is recorded.
Students and volunteers are requested to assist in all levels of the Spring 2010 study on the Fall Kill (Poughkeepsie), Crum Elbow Creek (Hyde Park), Indian Kill (Staatsburg), and Hunter's Brook (Wappingers Falls). This can involve study design and regular field work from March through May. Equipment and training provided. 
Contact: Chris Bowser, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , 845-889-4745 x104
Website: http://www.dec.ny.gov/lands/49580.html

Turtle Watch

For the next month, the threatened Blandings turtles will be heading out of the wetlands and going to nesting areas to lay their eggs.  Every night volunteers will go out to walk the nesting areas and track turtles in order to save these nests.  When we find a nesting female, we will place a cage over the nest to protect it from predators.  After the incubation period, we will be going out every day to check the cages for the babies and then we will place the babies in the wetlands.

Volunteer River Herring Monitoring Program

Alewives and Blueback herring are two of four species in the Herring Family that migrate into the Hudson River and its tributaries to spawn. These species play an important role in the Hudson River ecosystem and are also sought after by people for food and bait.  Although a valuable resource, river herring stocks along the East Coast are declining. No single cause has been identified, but it is likely a combination of dams (which restrict their migrations into tributaries to spawn), invasive species such as the zebra mussel, over fishing, bycatch losses (caught in fisheries that target other species), and increases in predator populations.
Project Description: Volunteers will monitor (look for presence or absence) for river herring at a specific tributary in their area, usually viewing from a bridge or other good vantage points on the creek. During each monitoring trip, volunteers will fill out a simple data sheet with observations.
Contact: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or (845) 256-3827
Website: http://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/41545.html

Hudson Basin River Watch (HBRW)

HBRW works to improve the water quality of the Hudson River and all its tributaries through education, community involvement, and stewardship. They provide hands-on science education programs to schools and stream monitoring workshops to environmental organizations, individuals, and agencies.  HBRW has also published a guidance document for stream assessments.
Website: http://www.hudsonbasin.org/

Benthic Macroinvertebrates

Need help identifying your BMIs?  Check out this helpful guide .  Although it was written originally for the Casperkill Creek and its most common BMIs, it's a useful resource for other watersheds in Dutchess County as well.