Presentation on Benthic Macroinvertebrates to be Held at Williams College

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WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — The Hoosic River Watershed Association, Williams College Center for Environmental Studies, and the Zilkha Center for the Environment will host a presentation titled "Turning Stones: a Presentation on Benthic Macroinvertebrates" with aquatic ecologist Declan McCabe on Tuesday, April 29, from 7:00 PM to 8:00 PM in Griffin Hall Room 3 at Williams College.

The program is free and open to the public, and families with children are welcome.

During the presentation, Declan McCabe will use a slide show and live aquatic macroinvertebrates to discuss several topics, including:

  • The properties of water that support life.
  • The differences in the characteristics and inhabitants of flowing and standing water ecosystems.
  • Adaptations of organisms that live on the water's surface.
  • Non-toxic methods for reducing mosquito populations near homes.
  • Low-cost ways to study macroinvertebrates locally.
  • Simple actions to protect watersheds and improve water quality.

Registration for this free program is required and can be completed by clicking the provided link.

Declan McCabe is an aquatic ecologist and a professor of biology at Saint Michael’s College. His book, Turning Stones: Discovering the Life of Water (2024, Down East Books), examines the biodiversity found in rivers. Mr. McCabe has experience communicating biological concepts to students and has also worked with high school audiences. His writings are featured in "Northern Woodlands" and "Connecticut Woodlands" magazines, as well as "The Outside Story" natural history series.

 

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Williamstown Police Looking into Damage at Post Office

Staff Reports
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — Police are looking into property damage at the U.S. Post Office on Spring Street.
 
On June 28, the Police Department received a report from a member of the Williamstown Garden Club, who was watering flowers at the Post Office and, "noticed that a granite slab had been displaced and a metal grate had been damaged," according to a police report.
 
Officer David Jennings responded to the scene and reported that it, "appeared that a vehicle or piece of machinery had struck the granite slab, causing it to shift into the metal grate and bend it," Jennings wrote.
 
By the middle of July, the damage to the grate was still apparent.
 
Williamstown Police contacted the postmaster, who said he would notify his supervisor about the damage.
 
Police Chief Michael Ziemba on Wednesday confirmed there is no closed-circuit television footage that provides details on how the damage occurred.
 
The damage is estimated to be worth about $500, according to the police report.
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