Write a commentFor the next two Sunday's (August 20 and 27), RSVP will be hosting two separate European Water Chestnut Pulls along the Oswego River.
On August 20, from 10:30am - 1:00pm, we will be pulling chestnuts in Minetto, right off of State Route 48.
On August 27, we will pull chestnuts from 10:30am - 1:00pm just south of Battle Island.
We have a limited number of kayaks. If you are interested in assisting with this endeavor, we encourage you to bring you own kayak or canoe. Please call the RSVP office at (315) 312-2317 or email rsvp@oswego.edu if you are planning on attending or would like to know more.
Background Information:
The Chestnuts are an invasive aquatic plant that was released inadvertently into the waters of the Northeast in the late 1800's. This plant is slowly but unrelentlessly spreading throughout New York State. This invasive species is clogging waterways, lakes, rivers, and ponds, altering aquatic habitats.
The plant forms nearly impassable floating "mats of vegetation". These mats create a hazard for other generators of water life. The density of the mats can severely limit light penetration into the water and reduce / eliminate the growth of native aquatic plants beneath the large awning. With the reduced plant growth combined with the decaying of water chestnut (which dies back each year), may result in reduced levels of dissolved or softened oxygen in the water, impacting other aquatic organism, and potentially destroying fish life.
These impenetrable mats can impede swimming, boating, commercial navigation, and fishing --- leading to losses of revenue for the area.
We would greatly appreciate your help / support with this opportunity!!
