Seven Rivers Unbound

Dragonfly Nymphs and the National Park Service at Mastuxet Brook

Explore Mastuxet Brook, a tributary of a Wild and Scenic River, with podcast host Hugh Markey and Lauren Bonatakis, the Wood Pawcatuck Wild and Scenic Rivers National Park Service Representative, as they search for dragonfly nymphs. Lauren shares her expertise in stream ecology and explains why monitoring our streams for water quantity and quality is so important. In this episode, we discover the incredible “superpower” of dragonfly nymphs, their ability to help detect mercury in our waterways. This is the first year that the Stewardship Council has collected dragonfly nymphs for sampling and contributing to the Dragonfly Mercury Project. To learn more about the project, download data, and the site map, visit the link below:  (https://geonarrative.usgs.gov/dmpdatadashboard/ [https://geonarrative.usgs.gov/dmpdatadashboard/]) This podcast is brought to you by the Wood-Pawcatuck Wild and Scenic Rivers Stewardship Council, and is hosted by Casey Merkle and Hugh Markey. Follow us on: Facebook: ⁠⁠https://www.facebook.com/WPWildScenic/⁠⁠ [https://www.facebook.com/WPWildScenic/] Instagram: ⁠⁠@wpwild_scenic_rivers⁠⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/wpwild_scenic_rivers/?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr] You Tube: ⁠⁠@Wood-PawcatuckWildandScenicRiv [https://www.youtube.com/@Wood-PawcatuckWildandScenicRiv]

Geology near the Pawcatuck River with Dr. Boving

Join Hugh Markey and Marc Doherty for a walking tour through the Champlin Farm Preserve with Dr. Thomas Boving, a hydrogeologist and professor at the University of Rhode Island. As we explore the landscape, Dr. Boving uncovers how glaciers, fault lines, and flowing water have shaped the land over millennia. From bedrock to boulders, we learn how geology and hydrology reveal the power of our rivers. Dr. Boving is a professor in URI’s Department of Geosciences and an expert in groundwater protection, contaminant transport, and sustainable water management. To learn more about Champlin Farm Preserve or plan your visit, go to westerlylandtrust.org [https://westerlylandtrust.org/portfolio/champlin-farm-preserve/]. This podcast is brought to you by the Wood-Pawcatuck Wild and Scenic Rivers Stewardship Council, and is hosted by Casey Merkle and Hugh Markey. Follow us on: Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/WPWildScenic/⁠ [https://www.facebook.com/WPWildScenic/] Instagram: ⁠@wpwild_scenic_rivers⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/wpwild_scenic_rivers/?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr] You Tube: ⁠@Wood-PawcatuckWildandScenicRiv [https://www.youtube.com/@Wood-PawcatuckWildandScenicRiv]

How the Shunock River Powered North Stonington, CT with Vilma Gregoropoulos

Listen in as Vilma Gregoropoulos, landscape expert and historian with the North Stonington Historical Society, guides us through the story of water power, industry, and mill town life. Together, we explore how the Shunock River and its tributaries powered the mills that built North Stonington. Throughout the episode, Vilma weaves in local lore, bringing the past to life through rich detail and expert insight. This podcast is brought to you by the Wood-Pawcatuck Wild and Scenic Rivers Stewardship Council, and is hosted by Casey Merkle and Hugh Markey. Follow us on: Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/WPWildScenic/⁠ [https://www.facebook.com/WPWildScenic/] Instagram: ⁠@wpwild_scenic_rivers⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/wpwild_scenic_rivers/?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr] You Tube: ⁠@Wood-PawcatuckWildandScenicRiv [https://www.youtube.com/@Wood-PawcatuckWildandScenicRiv]

Counting Waterfowl with Wildlife Biologist, Jenny Kilburn

In this episode, Hugh Markey and Casey Merkle wade into the world of waterfowl  monitoring with experts from the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (RI DEM). Jenny Kilburn, Principal Wildlife Biologist, explains how annual waterfowl counts help track species trends, inform conservation efforts, and guide regulations. Whether you’re a birdwatcher, hunter, or conservationist, this episode provides valuable insights into how RI DEM works to protect waterfowl and their critical habitats across our Wild and Scenic Rivers watershed (and beyond). Looking to volunteer with RI DEM as a wildlife monitor? Visit https://dem.ri.gov/node/19801 [https://dem.ri.gov/node/19801] or contact Wildlife Outreach Coordinator Jennifer Brooks at dem.dfwvolunteer@dem.ri.gov [dem.dfwvolunteer@dem.ri.gov]. Follow us on: Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/WPWildScenic/⁠ [https://www.facebook.com/WPWildScenic/] Instagram: ⁠@wpwild_scenic_rivers⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/wpwild_scenic_rivers/?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr] You Tube: ⁠@Wood-PawcatuckWildandScenicRiv [https://www.youtube.com/@Wood-PawcatuckWildandScenicRiv]

Mini Bioblitz with the Westerly Land Trust

Join us in a late summer mini BioBlitz with the Westerly Land Trust! How many organisms can be found in just four hours of exploring? Hugh Markey joined Marc Doherty, Land Stewardship Manager at the Westerly Land Trust, for a Mini BioBlitz at Avondale Preserve in Westerly, RI! From chatting with participants to going behind-the-scenes, Hugh got a firsthand look at the excitement and passion for biodiversity and exploration. Curious about what they discovered? Check out the finds on WLT's page on iNaturalist, Avondale Mini BioBlitz 2024 [https://www.inaturalist.org/.../avondale-mini-bioblitz-2024]. This podcast is brought to you by the Wood-Pawcatuck Wild and Scenic Rivers Stewardship Council, and is hosted by Casey Merkle and Hugh Markey. Follow us on: Facebook: ⁠https://www.facebook.com/WPWildScenic/ [https://www.facebook.com/WPWildScenic/] ⁠ [https://www.facebook.com/WPWildScenic/]Instagram: ⁠@wpwild_scenic_rivers⁠ [https://www.instagram.com/wpwild_scenic_rivers/?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr] You Tube: ⁠@Wood-PawcatuckWildandScenicRiv [https://www.youtube.com/@Wood-PawcatuckWildandScenicRiv]