Fortunately we sheared the goats yesterday. So they are probably a little more comfortable. They started growing early winter coats and matting up badly, so it was time to give 'em a haircut.
A couple of weeks ago we hosted a very interesting workshop here. The WV state Dept. of Environmental Protection sent an instructor to show all interested in how to take samples and analyze stream water quality.
We have a wonderful little stream that crosses our property and we have been concerned about the quality and future of the stream...given all the new developments that have gone in here.
This is my neighbor, Andrea, handing over a water sample to our instructor! We tested these samples for a number of indicators including Ph and conductivity - then collected a sample of the pond critters. Lots of cool little fish, crayfish, caddis flys, dragonflies, etc, were in our sample. We counted and recorded them and YAY!! It turns out that our little stream is actually pretty healthy! We will need to address some erosion issues and plant some trees in the near future. But for now our stream is happy and so are we.
Water quality is a big issue for everyone these days. So we are committed to looking after our stream as a tributary to other waterways, eventually ending up in the Chesapeake Bay.
We will be finishing our survey in mid-September and then be monitoring the water on a regular basis for the DEP after that.
Next big event coming along up here of course is our huge local bluegrass and barbeque festival, Pickn' in the Panhandle. The Charlie Daniels Band will be there and it should be a super event Sept. 12 & 13.
No comments:
Post a Comment