Presentation on Benthic Macroinvertebrates to be Held at Williams College

Print Story | Email Story

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.

 

If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Library Board Only Race in Williamstown Election

By Stephen DravisiBerkshires Staff
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — Voters in May will have one contested election on the ballot.
 
Four candidates have had their nomination papers certified for two available three-year seats on the Milne Public Library Board of Trustees in a race that voters will sort out when they go to the polls on Tuesday, May 12.
 
Janet Curran, Martin Mitsoff, Kathleen Schultze and Michael Sussman — all potential newcomers to the seven-person board — have been certified as candidates for the two open seats on the library's governing body.
 
Those two positions along with five other local government posts will be on the ballot for the annual town election.
 
For the Select Board, only incumbents Stephanie Boyd and Shana Dixon submitted papers to be returned to their three-year seats.
 
A third seat on the five-person board also is on the ballot. Newcomer Nathaniel Budington submitted papers to run for the final year on an unexpired term vacated by Jeffrey Johnson.
 
Two other candidates are running unopposed to retain their seats after Tuesday's deadline to submit nomination papers expired. Stephen Dew is running for another five-year seat on the Housing Authority, and Roger Lawrence is running for another five years on the Planning Board.
 
View Full Story

More Williamstown Stories