The City of Columbia invites the public to become volunteers in CARP - the Columbia Aquatic Restoration Program. CARP started in 2007 as a partnership of the city's Parks & Recreation Department and Volunteer Program.

CARP volunteers begin by participating in three classes to be held the evenings of March 12, March 19 and March 26 at the ARC, 1701 W. Ash, followed by projects on Saturday and Sunday mornings on water bodies in city parks.

CARP is designed to support Columbia Parks & Recreation in implementing an aquatic plant and shoreline management plan. The goal of the project is to train volunteers to assist in aquatic plant management and maintenance for the growing number of ponds, streams, retention basins, rain gardens and lakes found in city parks.

Class topics include lake ecology, storm water management, rain gardens and aquatic plants and insects. Volunteers are asked to commit to a minimum of 18 hours of service as a CARP volunteer. In 2012, 57 CARP volunteers shared 493 hours of service in city parks.

To learn more about CARP or to register to participate, contact the City's Volunteer Programs staff at 874-7499 or volunteer@GoColumbiaMo.com. Information on the program is also on the city's website at www.GoColumbiaMo.com.