The Neponset River Watershed Association seeks your help to raise little, brown, weed-eating beetles, this spring and summer.

Individuals, families, schools, scouts and organizations are invited to protect the Metro Boston natural environment with the help of a battalion of tiny beetles.

According to NepRWA Restoration Manager Carly Rocklen, “We offer a unique opportunity for people to get involved in hands-on, local environmental protection. Participants get to know a local parkland up close and personal, and they attain first-hand experience in restoring that very special environment and bringing back native wildlife and plants. Families work together in the sun and fresh air. It’s a win-win experience for each volunteer and for the Metro Boston environment.”

Raising the beetles helps to boost native plant and animal diversity in the Fowl Meadow wetlands along the Neponset River. By chowing down on the infamous, omnipresent, exotic, invasive purple-flowering plant called “Purple loosestrife,” the beetles help restore balance between wetland species and produce a more wildlife-friendly wetland.

Beetle Ranchers must have: 1) A sunny yard with space to place a kiddie pool that is near a garden hose, and 2) Availability from March through July to participate in project activities.

Sign up to be a Beetle Rancher by contacting NepRWA Restoration Manager Carly Rocklen at 781-575-0354 x303 or rocklen@neponset.org. Learn more about Beetle Ranching at: http://www.neponset.org. View project pictures at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/neprwa.

This project is implemented by the Neponset River Watershed Association and project partner the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation.

The Neponset River Watershed Association is a 501c3 nonprofit organization that works to protect and restore the Neponset River and its surrounding watershed lands and waterways. The Neponset River Watershed includes parts of 14 cities and towns: Boston, Canton, Dedham, Dover, Foxborough, Medfield, Milton, Norwood, Randolph, Quincy, Sharon, Stoughton, Walpole and Westwood.