The Great Works River Watershed Coalition (GWRWC) is a volunteer group that monitors the water quality of the Great Works River and its tributaries at sites in Sanford, North Berwick, and South Berwick. The group seeks volunteers and members to assist in the biweekly monitoring program that begins on Saturday, May 31. Coalition members and volunteers also participate in several other events including watershed surveys, stream habitat surveys, and canoe trips.

On Saturday, May 10, a water quality training session will be held in South Berwick at Leigh’s Mill Pond on Vine Street, between 9AM and 10:30AM. The purpose of the training is to ensure that all monitors make the same measurements and record their data in the same way. Anyone interested in becoming a volunteer monitor should attend this training program.

On Saturday, May 24, the group will guide a canoe/kayak trip and river clean-up on the Great Works River starting at the Emery’s Bridge Road in South Berwick, and ending at Brattle Street, also in South Berwick; this trip starts at 12:30 PM and takes about 2 hours to complete. This is a very easy section of the river to paddle, with no white water or portages. The purpose of the river trip is to identify any pollution sources, to clean up litter along the shoreline, and to enjoy our river resource. Don’t forget to bring a PFD, lunch, water, and a bag to store litter!

Water quality monitoring begins on May 31 and continues biweekly until September 6. On the final day of sampling the coalition will gather for a volunteer recognition party! Anyone interested in joining the coalition and assisting in their endeavors should contact GWRWC President Mike Cannon at 207-384-5881. More information is also available on the GWRWC web site, www.gwrwc.org.

Want to do something to help a neighbor? South Berwick Volunteer Network (SBVN) needs volunteer drivers. SBVN is a nonprofit organization that offers free transportation to local residents who need a ride to medical appointments. Usually, drivers are assigned one day per month (M-F). The average appointment requires about 2 hours of volunteer time. More residents need the service so the current volunteers are doing double duty. They could really use your help.

For more information about volunteering, or if you are a South Berwick resident needing a ride, please call (207)384-3311. The South Berwick Rotary Club and Rotary Foundation also provides financial support for wheelchair van transportation to medical appointments. Please call 384-3311 to schedule van service.