Volunteers: CHNEP Needs Your Help
International Coastal Clean-Up Day is coming up on Saturday September 15, 2018 and one major threat to coastal waters is microplastics - small plastic fragments unseen by the naked eye that pollute our waters and are taken up through the food chain.
To address this growing problem, CHNEP recently gave 12 complete microplastic sampling kits to our partner Charlotte County IFAS, who will be hosting a free public training event at 10 am on Wednesday September 12th (25550 Harbor View Rd., Unit 3, Port Charlotte, FL 33980) to equip volunteer teams to do microplastics sampling in our region.
If you are interested in participating, please contact Julie Ryder at (941) 764-4355 or at julie.ryder@charlottecountyfl.gov before end of day on Monday September 10th.
CHNEP is also seeking volunteers and ambassadors to help educate local communities about how they can better protect our waterways and water resources. If you are willing to assist at either of the upcoming events listed below, please contact CHNEP Research and Outreach Specialist Nicole Iadevaia at NIadevaia@chnep.org or at (941) 575-3313.
Fall Arcadia Rodeo
CHNEP is hosting a booth at the upcoming Fall Rodeo in Arcadia, Florida on Saturday October 20th. We are looking for volunteers willing to help us provide public environmental education on topics such as sustainable fishing techniques, microplastics, etc. The booth will be set up with a few activity stations where children will be invited to complete a 2-3 learning activities to earn a free fishing pole.
2018 Nature Festival
The 19th annual free Nature Festival will be held from 10 am - 3 pm on November 17, 2018 at Laishley Park, Punta Gorda. This event featuring. 40+ exhibitors, food vendors, art, music, animals, and activities is a great fun family-friendly event. We are looking for volunteers interested in helping us plan and host this event - including set up, work during, and clean-up after the festival. If you are or know others willing to assist with this great community event, we would really appreciate your assistance.
Finally, if you are not already signed up as a CHNEP volunteer, or have not already provided the required waiver to participate in CHNEP's free volunteer events and activities, please visit the link below today to do so.