Press & Media
August 15, 2024
Volunteer Spotlight: Ken Bedard
Meet Ken Bedard. Ken has been volunteering with the Blackstone Heritage Corridor for six years. In addition to serving as Secretary on the Board of Directors for the Blackstone River Watershed Association, Ken volunteers as a tour guide for Maple Sugaring Days at River Bend Farm. He is also a Water Quality Monitor for the Blackstone River Coalition and gets involved with Earth Day cleanups and hiking programs. His motivation? “It’s the feel-good feeling of giving back to the community and seeing the excitement of the kids and adults learning something new. It allows me to step outside my comfort zone by speaking to groups.”“The many programs the Corridor offers have something for just about everyone. History, hiking, paddling, fishing, and the Earth Day Cleanups are all important programs that allow the community to be engaged.” Ken especially enjoys working with kids. “The excitement of the kids at Family Fun Fishing Day winning a prize is always special. A real treat is when the kids taste the sap from the new tap they just put in the tree during Maple Sugaring Days.”
“I would say, if you are looking for a way to give of your valuable time, the Blackstone Heritage Corridor has many opportunities for people to help out,” Ken shares. “They are well organized and have a great team of people.”
He believes those who attend and participate leave with a much richer understanding and appreciation of the Blackstone River and its watershed.
Investing in our volunteer program is one of our priorities. By placing more volunteers in the parks found in the corridor, we will provide more access and support for visitors and local residents to enjoy our beautiful green spaces. We can do this by investing in new tools, uniforms, and training to provide more meaningful ways to be part of the corridor. Learn more about our Legacy Campaign at BlackstoneHeritageCorridor.org.
If you’re interested in volunteering, reach out to Molly Cardoza, Director of Volunteer and Community Engagement, at [email protected].