Volunteering with the RHC, means volunteering for the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (RI DEM). As such, there are some procedures and protocols we all must abide by. Whether you are interested in volunteering to count fish or for an emergency fish lift or, this page has all your volunteer resources.
Through your Better Impact volunteer profile, you will be able to view and sign up for volunteer opportunities, log your time and mileage, and stay in touch with DEM staff. Once registered, sign in and click on the ‘Opportunities List’ and click on ‘Herring Count’, you will be able to access all of the herring related links, lockbox codes, and the training video.
Before you set out to count, you'll need to participate in one of RI DEM's official trainings. There will be in person trainings offered every season, but you can also view a recorded training below.
Volunteer counting data is extremely critical to estimating total migration of herring each year! Once you are registered as a volunteer, you can
As the RI DEM invests in the fish infrastructure like ladders, the need for emergency fish lifts are declining. However, in the case something goes wrong and we need to unite to help the herring over a dam, you'll need a lifting permit to participate. If you're interested, please sign up at the link below, and the RHC will do the rest!