Herring River cleanup: AmeriCorps members pitch in to help fish passage

Somewhere in the world of herring, good news is spreading. AmeriCorps Cape Cod members banded together and cleared out the Herring River in Harwich! This means easier passage for the fish on their challenging spring journey to spawn in local ponds. If herring could clap, AmeriCorps would be getting a standing ovation.

AmeriCorps members and Natural Resources Director Stephanie Ridenour (left) pause for a moment while clearing the Herring River in Harwich. 

Barnstable County’s AmeriCorps Cape Cod program, part of a larger national service network, offers people from around the country an opportunity to address issues facing the Cape’s fragile environment. AmeriCorps volunteers focus on improving and preserving the quality of natural resources through hands-on conservation and education initiatives.

We caught up with more than a dozen of these can-do community heroes as they got ready for an afternoon muck-out session near the herring run at Hinckleys Pond.

They had already spent the morning removing branches and debris from the river by Long Pond, but a fortifying lunch had them ready for another tilt. As they donned waders and made sure the pitchforks were in working order, we had the chance to chat.

‘I feel so lucky’

While Cape Cod AmeriCorps members are usually placed individually with different towns and organizations around the Cape, we were in the midst of AmeriCorps Week, when members come together to tackle projects that need serious people power. More than a dozen AmeriCorps members had gathered to take on the mighty river that herring depend on to keep their life cycle going.

Cape Cod AmeriCorps member Sophie Wigington, from Corpus Christi, Texas, said it had been a busy week. “We did a controlled burn at Thompson’s Field. And we cleared out a herring run in Dennis. Today is the Herring River clean-out in Harwich, and tomorrow we’ll be in Provincetown to do some water education training. It’s a program where we go to local schools on the Cape and teach them about the importance of protecting Cape Cod’s aquifer.”

AmeriCorps members clear the Herring River near Long Pond in Harwich. Gerry Beetham photo

Wigington, who has spent much of her time working with the Harwich Conservation Department, has been having a blast on Cape Cod. “It’s been incredible,” she said. “It’s beautiful here. It’s definitely a different type of ecosystem than the Gulf Coast. It’s really cool to have seen the southern coast, and now a coast up north. I feel so lucky and I love being five minutes from a beach wherever I go on the Cape.”

Hard work and high spirits

Lillian Pogany, an AmeriCorps member from the New Bedford area, has spent two to three days a week working with the Harwich Conservation Trust (HCT). She said working on these group AmeriCorps projects was a lot of fun. “It’s so nice to have everybody out here together,” said Pogany. “The energy is really high and everyone is motivated.”

She also had a glowing review of her time with HCT. “It’s truly one of the best placements in the program,” said Pogany. “Everybody is so kind, and the community is so involved. And it’s really nice to get to work with the HCT volunteers.”

While everyone assembling for the work party was in a great mood, perhaps Harwich Natural Resources Director Stephanie Ridenour had the most pep in her step. “It’s one of my favorite workdays,” said Ridenour. “I love working with AmeriCorps. They all have great attitudes, they work hard, and they know what they’re doing.”

Ridenour said she was worried that the recent blizzard might have clogged the river with fallen trees and branches, but so far, conditions seemed OK. “We were concerned that there would be a lot more to do compared to an average spring cleanup, but it hasn’t been that bad. We ran into a couple of trees that were down this morning. But with a team like this, we made quick work of it.”

AmeriCorps members remove brush and debris from the Herring River in Harwich. Gerry Beetham photo

Volunteer herring counters needed

The timing of herring run work is designed to slot in after the bulk of winter storms, but before herring and eels start their spawning migration. Ridenour said scout herring usually start appearing around the first week of April, with more fish showing up around the middle of the month.

That means it’s almost time for HCT volunteer herring counters to spring into action! During the spawning season, which typically runs from April to June, HCT volunteers are “on the run,” counting herring at a location on the Herring River that borders Hinckleys Pond.

Fish that make it into the pond are counted during a ten-minute time period each hour during the day, and other data, including water and air temperature is recorded.

Data from this vital citizen science effort is funneled into the Association to Preserve Cape Cod’s (APCC) Herring Run Program, which collects information from about 20 runs around the Cape.

Interested in becoming an HCT volunteer herring counter this year? Please email HCT’s Director of Land Stewardship Connor O’Brien at connor@harwichconservationtrust.org. Training will be provided, and it’s a great way to celebrate spring!

Herring River cleanup photo gallery: Enjoy these great images by volunteer HCT photographer Gerry Beetham and HCT staff:

—Your tax-deductible contributions help fulfill the mission of the Harwich Conservation Trust to preserve land that protects woods, water, wildlife and our shared quality of life. And your land-saving financial support helps us preserve beautiful properties that can become stellar trail destinations. Find out how to donate by clicking here.