Scenic Hudson

The mysterious life cycle of the eel has fascinated scientists for years. What we do know is that every spring millions of see-through “glass eels” arrive in the Hudson River after an eight-week journey from the Atlantic Ocean. This is just the beginning of the eel’s unusual story. Every year the NYSDEC Hudson River National Estuarine Research Reserve and Hudson River Estuary Program, in partnership with Scenic Hudson invite volunteers to join us at Black Creek Preserve to catch, count, and weigh juvenile eels before releasing them unharmed. Data recorded helps researchers determine how rapidly eel populations are declining. Volunteers should plan to bring, warm clothes you do not mind getting dirty, shoes that are easy to change out of, extra socks, and towels when monitoring. Waders will be provided but volunteers are welcome to bring their own pair as well. All data collecting tools will be available on site.