Have you ever experienced the living wonder of a wetland? Have you wanted to wade in, get your hands wet, and discover the plants and animals that live there? If so, Hennepin County and its cities have a unique volunteer opportunity – the Wetland Health Evaluation Program (WHEP).
Adult volunteers – who do not need a science background or previous experience – work under the direction of a team leader and receive training on wetland monitoring protocols, including both plant and insect identification. They wade through wetlands to collect and identify dragonflies, snails, cattails and more. The total time commitment is 20 to 40 hours throughout the months of May, June and July. All equipment is provided. Participating cities use the collected data to help determine the health of water resources and assist with natural resource management.
For more information or to become a volunteer, call Mary Karius at 612-596-9129 or visit the program website at www.mnwhep.org.
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