Row Row Row Your -- Invasive Water Chestnut Right Out of the Charles

Many of you may already know that volunteering can be a great way to have unique experiences for free, free, free. This week I offer you a real gem: Undo a hostile plant takeover while paddling blissfully down the Charles.

The Charles River Watershed Association and Charles River Canoe and Kayak have partnered in an effort to rid that Dirty Water of invasive wild water chestnuts. How the chestnuts got there, I do not know, nor do I know if they are the tasty kind which can be added to salads or noodles. But I do know that volunteers are needed on June 13, June 26, and July 17, 2010 to yank these sneaky plants out before they drop seed in August.

You receive training and pull out plants from 10am - 2pm. In return, you get four hours in a canoe on the scenic Chuck (CRCK usually charges up to $96 per day for the privilege). And you can go back anytime for free canoe rental, as long as you promise to pull out more plants as you go.

Good deal, no? Do some good, and get a free canoe rental. Sign up with the CRWA at waterchestnut@crwa.org. I will see you on the water!