PERU – The Worthley Pond Association, under the leadership of Water Quality Committee Chairman John Shea, is active in its mission to preserve the quality of Worthley Pond against invasive aquatic plants.

This year the association applied for and received a courtesy boat inspection grant from the Lakes Environmental Association for $1,500. The association contributed the matching funds.

The money is being used to educate people who use the pond on the subject of invasive plants.

Shea circulates around the pond securing names of volunteers who will donate a few hours each week to man the entrances where watercraft are launched. They inspect and educate the users on the invasive plants and make sure that none enter Worthley Pond.

Several bodies of water within a 25 miles radius of Worthley are infected with the plant, which can not be contained or controlled once it enters the water.

Shea, along with Association President Dave Clement, has donated many hours on the project, which is still in need of volunteers. The association pays two people for 20 hours of inspections a week, but it needs more residents to volunteer.

For more information, contact Dave at [email protected] or 562-4611.