Calling all berry lovers in Regions 1-5 & 7! The MNO is seeking Berry Guardians for a new Berry Monitoring Program.
The MNO Berry Monitoring Program is a community science project inviting MNO citizens to assess and track the health and productivity of berry plants, helping us better understand how climate change and herbicide application are affecting berries across the Traditional Territories.
The program will focus on observing the impacts of climate change on berry plant health, as well as the potential effects of herbicide use by industry, including testing herbicide concentrations in berries.
As Berry Guardians, volunteers will participate in on-the-land monitoring at designated berry sites. Monitoring activities will include assessing plant health by conducting flower and berry counts among other assessments, and collecting berry plant samples. These samples will be sent to and analyzed for herbicide levels at the University of Guelph’s Agriculture and Food Laboratory.
Berry Guardians will participate in on-the-land monitoring from May to September (tentative). Time commitments will vary, ranging from one day to a few days throughout the monitoring season.
This year, the program will focus on monitoring blueberry plants.
Training and materials will be provided to all participants and an honorarium will be provided for virtual training. Training dates are May 8 & 13 at 6:30pm EDT over Zoom. Only attendance at one is required.
Honoraria and mileage will be provided to compensate for time and travel expenses during the monitoring sessions.
To volunteer, please click the button below and complete the MNO Berry Monitoring Program registration form.