Stream Team Training
Looking for an opportunity to engage
in your local watershed? What to
participate in citizen science? Or simply
want to spend time outdoors? Volunteer
stream monitoring might be for you!
Volunteer stream monitors play
a key role in stream stewardship
by raising awareness of pollution
problems and providing water
quality data the community can
use to protect local streams. At this workshop you'll:
• Learn how to collect and record water
quality data on streams.
• Help Pierce Conservation District
monitor one of many streams
throughout Pierce County.
• Watch our streams for changes that
threaten natural stream function.
• Make a difference in your environment
and community.
Our next stream monitor training
is being held on Saturday,
June 24, 9 a.m.–12 p.m. Register Here.
Macroinvertebrate Sampling
Benthic macroinvertebrates (bottomdwelling
organisms including aquatic
insects, crayfish,
clams, snails, and
worms) are another type of water
quality measurement. While water
quality sampling provides us with
a “snapshot” view of the health of
the stream; macroinvertebrates give
us a longer view of stream health.
The types and numbers of macroinvertebrates
present are affected by
periodic episodes of poor water quality
or by ongoing poor water quality.
During the summer, we collect aquatic
organisms from selected streams which
are sent to a lab to be identified and
counted. This is a fun opportunity
to learn more about the health of
our streams and get outside! For more info, contact Belinda at:
BelindaP@piercecd.org.
Students sampling for macroinvertebrates.
Summer
Monitoring
Schedules
- Quarterly monitors may schedule
their summer monitoring
between June 21-September 14
- Bimonthly monitors are scheduled
to monitor their streams
in July and September.
- Remember that either August,
September, or October is the time
to complete a habitat assessment
for your stream site. If you would
like a refresher on filling out
the habitat form, please contact
Belinda to schedule a time to
review the form at your site.
- Volunteers are also encouraged
to run replicate tests once or
twice a year. The replicate testing
includes the dissolved oxygen, pH,
and nitrate tests. We can provide
extra sample bottles if you are
planning on doing replicates.
- This year lake volunteers will complete
the secchi dip-in form during
their lake monitoring session. The
Dip-In is not just limited to lakes.
If stream monitors are interested
in submitting their July transparency
data to the contact Isabel
Ragland at IsabelR@piercecd.org for more information.