Citizen Science Opportunity: American Eel Project with the Department of Environmental Conservation
Participants in the DEC American Eel Project. (Photo credit, Department of Environmental Conservation)
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Participants in the DEC American Eel Project. (Photo credit, Department of Environmental Conservation)
Each spring, as part of the Department of Environmental Conservation’s Eel Project, volunteers head out to streams across the Hudson River Estuary to monitor American glass eels as they migrate from the Atlantic Ocean into North American Estuaries like the Hudson River. Upon arrival, the eels soon develop pigment and join the local ecosystem. With declining populations, projects studying eel populations are more critical than ever to ensuring this species remains part of our ecosystem for years to come.
Join this effort to monitor this invaluable species. The American eel project follows scientific field methodology and is an opportunity for students and volunteers to engage with their local ecosystem firsthand, collect crucial data, and have a lot of fun! Starting in early spring, volunteers check eel nets daily for juvenile American eels migrating upstream. During sampling, volunteers can use waders, check nets for eels, record data, or weigh samples. The project is always in need of new volunteers, and encourages anyone and everyone to participate. Since the Hudson River Eel Project began in 2008, the project has expanded from two to ten sites, has engaged over 500 volunteers, and has caught, counted, and released over 300,000 glass eels.
Eel Project Locations: Richmond Creek, Furnace Brook, Miniseongo Creek, Indian Brook, Quassaick Creek, Fall Kill, Black Creek, Indian Kill, Saw Kill, and Hannacroix Creek.
Interested in joining the Eel Project? Call or e-mail Sarah Mount ([email protected], or 845-889-4745 x106) or Grace Ballou ([email protected]) and indicate your town/county of residence, and share your interest in the project or volunteer experience.
American Eel Project Volunteer Flyer
Check out this informational video about the American Eel Project:
