The 2020 Ausable River Association River Steward program may look different compared to past years, but much has stayed the same. This summer, River Steward Jake Hill, will be on the river and around the watershed. Below are some of the places Jake you will find him.
River Corridor:
Most of Jake’s time this summer will be spent along the West Branch and East Branch Ausable River, where he will be conducting surveys of anglers and other river users along with maintaining wader wash stations. Jake will also be on the lookout for terrestrial and aquatic invasive species. He’ll use iMapInvasives to document their location and will remove small infestations whenever possible. Look for Jake’s bright red car and stop by to say hello!
Field Work:
Jake will also be assisting with fieldwork this summer, including riparian river restoration monitoring, riparian planting, water quality and other Ausable River Association projects occurring in the watershed. Early season efforts have found Jake planting and monitoring on our current and past restoration sites, as well as helping to record river temperatures.
Public Events:
With many of the usual public events that we attend being cancelled this season, the river steward’s outreach work looks slightly different. Instead of spending time at farmers markets and events he’s focusing time on the river corridor where he can interact with the public in a safe, socially distant way! We’ve connected with over 100 people so far this summer.
Social Media:
With traditional educational opportunities postponed, our efforts have shifted to social media. Be sure to follow and check our social media accounts frequently so you don't miss a new post!
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