This article is from the source 'washpo' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/river-commission-seeking-volunteers-to-keep-track-of-algae/2016/01/24/99225ac6-c305-11e5-a4aa-f25866ba0dc6_story.html

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
River commission seeking volunteers to keep track of algae River commission seeking volunteers to keep track of algae
(about 11 hours later)
With so much attention quite properly devoted to the snow and cold, and the difficulties they impose, it might be well to recall that spring and summer have their unpleasant aspects. As an announcement last week from an environmental group suggests, these include algae. With so much attention quite properly devoted to the snow and cold, and the difficulties they impose, it might be well to recall that spring and summer have their own unpleasant aspects. As an announcement last week from an environmental group suggests, these include algae.
The Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin is trying to enlist a volunteer network of people and groups who might be described as algae scouts. As part of a long range program for dealing with the often objectionable growth The Interstate Commission on the Potomac River Basin is trying to enlist a volunteer network of people and groups who might be described as algae scouts.
Algae and certain aquatic plants impair enjoyment of many of the recreational activities associated with rivers and streams.Algae and certain aquatic plants impair enjoyment of many of the recreational activities associated with rivers and streams.
Understanding more about these generally unwelcome plants is likely to make them easier to deal with, it is suggested. Understanding more about these generally unwelcome plants is an obvious way of learning how to confront them and the problems they may present..
As a means of learning more about where they show up in the Washington region, the commission asked in the announcement last week:As a means of learning more about where they show up in the Washington region, the commission asked in the announcement last week:
“Do you have a favorite stream that you paddle, fish or walk along?“Do you have a favorite stream that you paddle, fish or walk along?
“Have you found areas where stringy green algae seems always to grow?”“Have you found areas where stringy green algae seems always to grow?”
The commission asked further: “How about new stands of plants, or areas where the water always seems green with algae?The commission asked further: “How about new stands of plants, or areas where the water always seems green with algae?
And the key question: “Would you share your observations with us?”And the key question: “Would you share your observations with us?”
The commission, now in its fifth year of studying the prevalence and ecological impact of plants and algae in freshwater systems, hopes to expand its range and scope to include more rivers and streams.The commission, now in its fifth year of studying the prevalence and ecological impact of plants and algae in freshwater systems, hopes to expand its range and scope to include more rivers and streams.
The task “is daunting without the help of volunteers,” the commission’s announcement said. It said the commission hopes to hear from organizations and individuals throughout the river basin and thus to identify “more hot spots” to be targeted later for more intensive, localized research.The task “is daunting without the help of volunteers,” the commission’s announcement said. It said the commission hopes to hear from organizations and individuals throughout the river basin and thus to identify “more hot spots” to be targeted later for more intensive, localized research.
The commission expects that the volunteers will be able to get snapshots of sites using a newly developed smartphone app. More information is available by contacting Mike Selckmann at GMSelckmann@icprb.org.The commission expects that the volunteers will be able to get snapshots of sites using a newly developed smartphone app. More information is available by contacting Mike Selckmann at GMSelckmann@icprb.org.