Charles River Watershed Association partners with X-Cel Conservation Corps on two major initiatives.

Macro-invertebrate Sampling and Identification

CRWA personnel train XCC crew members how to conduct habitat assessments, and the proper methods to conduct benthic macroinvertebrate sampling and how to identify the insects collected.  Following the training, XCC members conduct habitat assessments and collect macroinvertebrates at streams within the Charles River watershed and then identify the insects collected in order to assess water quality in each of the Charles River tributaries sampled.

Green Infrastructure Ambassadors Initiative

CRWA staff members train XCC crew members on the harmful impact stormwater run-off has on local waterways and how green infrastructure is used to reduce the amount of stormwater run-off that flows into the waterways.  Following the training, XCC crew members get further training with CRWA and Horsley Witten staff members outdoors at a green infrastructure installation and complete maintenance of the green infrastructure installation.

Neponset River Watershed Association collaborates with X-Cel Conservation Corps to implement a project to test water quality monthly in five bodies of water located in the Neponset River Watershed.  NRWA staff members train XCC crew members in how to properly collect water samples, and measure the temperature, clarity, odor and amount of dissolved oxygen in the water. Afterwards, XCC crew members test the collected water samples at NepRWA’s lab to determine the pH levels and for the presence of e-Coli bacteria and record the data.

X-Cel Conservation Corps partners with North and South Rivers Watershed Association to introduce our corps members to kayaking.  For most corps members this is the first time they have ever been in a kayak.  It is an opportunity to push through an activity that is outside their comfort zone and at the same time introduce them to local waterways that are kept clean, in part by effective wastewater treatment.

X-Cel Conservation Corps partners with Horsley Witten Group to train on green infrastructure, tour the wastewater treatment plant at Pine Hills in Plymouth, and to learn about collecting ground water samples to determine ground water quality. Horsley Witten Group staff members volunteer their time to provide hands-on education outdoors at a green infrastructure installation and then guide XCC crew members to perform green infrastructure maintenance.