On the lookout for cyanobacteria

Posted January 20, 2022 Join us this evening at 6:30 p.m. for a virtual water quality event presented by the Worcester Cyanobacteria Monitoring Collaborative.  Manchaug Pond Foundation joined the collaborative last year for the 2021 monitoring season. Our volunteers took monthly samples with the goal of learning more about Manchaug Pond and about the algae found naturally in the lake. Tonight program data on Worcester and participating area lakes will be highlighted.  Manchaug Pond’s results were superb! What contributes to algae blooms and cyanobacteria occurrences in lakes and ponds?  Negative impacts to our water quality occur when nutrients and sediment flow into our water resources either directly or through watershed streams and runoff. Nutrient-rich lawn and landscape fertilizer,  pet and other animal waste, and malfunctioning septic systems can all be major threats to our blue spaces.  Excessive nutrients promote aquatic plant growth and increase algae which can cause widespread algae blooms. Special thanks to our volunteers and to the City of Worcester Parks & Recreation Department Blue Spaces team for this effort.  Watch for more information on our efforts to protect Manchaug Pond’s water!

Tomato Plant Sale To Benefit New Stream Team!

Posted May 24, 2020 Not the usual Manchaug Pond Foundation fundraiser but one from the heart of a student volunteer and to fund a new clean water initiative for Manchaug Pond! We are offering you, for a minimum donation of $5 each, beautiful heirloom variety tomato plants, raised from seed and organically-grown by one of our student water quality volunteers.  Hannah, a junior at Sutton High School, is offering this Heirloom Tomato Sale to raise funds for needed equipment and supplies for a new Manchaug Pond Stream Team and testing lab.    This will expand our current on-lake water quality monitoring and the cooperative efforts with the Blackstone River Coalition to take our volunteers up into the Manchaug Pond watershed to directly monitor the streams which carry water to the lake and to establish our own lab in order to avoid expensive outside fees. All tomato plants offered are grown here in the watershed and perfect for your home garden, campsite, or deck container garden  – order your tomato(s) online today – quantities are limited with only 101 plants available. –  Paypal, check or cash on delivery accepted. Local delivery this week or pick-up if desired. Any and all donations are …