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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 1, 2003 |
FOR INFORMATION CONTACT
Dr. Charles Baube (404) 364-8404
cbaube@oglethorpe.edu
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Make a Date with a Creek: River Rendezvous at Oglethorpe
University Tests Neighborhood Water Quality
Atlanta – (September 2003) – For the fourth year in a
row, some 100 volunteers will fan out from Oglethorpe University to
collect water samples at more than 100 sites along creeks and
tributaries in the Peachtree/Nancy Creek watershed in a single
morning. This event, sponsored by the Peachtree/Nancy Creek
Technical Advisory Council and called the River Rendezvous,
results in the collection of an enormous amount of information about
the water quality and environmental status of local creeks and
streams.
"This is a tremendous opportunity for the
community to get involved in water quality in their own backyards,"
says Oglethorpe associate professor of biology and co-organizer, Dr.
Charles Baube. "Everyone in the community is invited to come help
out – all that is needed is a sincere interest in learning about
water quality in our neighborhood."
Volunteers are needed for this year’s River
Rendezvous on Saturday, November 8, beginning at 8:30 a.m. at
Oglethorpe University. The event will begin with refreshments and a
presentation on past results from River Rendezvous, as well as
information and instructions on taking water samples for this year’s
effort. Volunteers will then proceed to sampling sites, returning
with their water samples to Oglethorpe in the early afternoon. All
equipment and necessary training will be provided and no special
skills are needed. "We cater to all levels of know-how in water
quality sampling, including absolute beginners," said Baube. "We are
looking for volunteers with a sincere interest in learning about
local water quality and who are willing to learn some simple skills.
We will do the rest."
Results from this event in previous years have
shown that there are many areas of concern in our local streams and
creeks. These include areas of elevated fecal coliform bacteria, as
well as areas of excessive siltation and stretches of water that
seem to be biologically dead. The information collected helps the
community and various government agencies understand the status of
our creeks and streams and look for ways to protect these waters.
Results from previous years have already been incorporated into
plans by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers.
River Rendezvous is sponsored by the Peachtree
Nancy Creek Technical Advisory Council, Oglethorpe University, and
Rivers Alive.
For more information on the event, contact Dr.
Charles Baube at Oglethorpe University, 404-364-8404;
cbaube@oglethorpe.edu.
Oglethorpe University is located at 4484 Peachtree Road in
Brookhaven, near the Brookhaven MARTA station.
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