Protecting water

The Moodna Creek Watershed Intermunicipal Council (MCWIC) and the Town of Woodbury dedicated a three-sided wetland information kiosk at Earl Reservoir Park last Thursday, July 25.

This project was supported by both the Town and Village of Woodbury, Boy Scout Troop 4, Five Star Construction, and Matt Brady of Black Rock Forest.

“The council erected this kiosk to educate people about the importance of protecting the Moodna Creek and basically all water," event emcee and Council Vice-Chairman Brendan Coyne said in describing the motivation behind the project.

The council, funded by its 16 municipal members and 13 non-municipal members, works to address important issues affecting the Moodna Creek and its watershed.

Placing a series of educational kiosks around the watershed is a major component of the council’s education program. The topics include: Wetlands, Groundwater, Water Supply, Water Quality, Benefits of Forests and Riparian Buffers, Watershed Species of Concern, and Wastewater.

“The Moodna Creek provides water to the entire local region. The Town of Woodbury was pleased to be the first location chosen for an educational kiosk,” said Woodbury Supervisor Frank Palermo. “Deputy Supervisor Jacqueline Hernandez thought this would be a great Eagle Scout project and approached the Boy Scouts to become involved. Jared Bouachri organized the construction of the kiosk as his Eagle Scout project along with the help of Boy Scout Troop 4.”

This first kiosk was the Eagle Scout Project of Jared Bouachri of Boy Scout Troop 4. Bouachri, a recent Monroe-Woodbury High School graduate, raised more than $500 for materials and coordinated the construction of the kiosk structure.

He will next participate in a yearlong program that his church offers to high school and college graduates which focuses on character development through education and helping others. Following that program, Jared will enroll in college, seeking a major in the sciences.

The scouts working on the watershed kiosks, both girls and boys, build the kiosks to council’s general specifications, and the council supplies the information panels.

The second Eagle Scout candidate is on board. The council hopes to include Girl Scouts and is looking for two more scouts to participate in the kiosk program this year.

After thanking all who participated in the development of this initial kiosk, Council Chairman Jay Beaumont said: “This is our first of at least 6 kiosks to be placed in locations around the watershed. We have learned many lessons here that we can now apply to our future kiosks.”