Macroinvertebrate Training & Monitoring Wait List

Johnson Creek Watershed Council, Milwaukie, OR - 

 August 20, 2015 - 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM

- AND -

Westmoreland Park, Portland, OR - August 23, 2015 - 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Why Conduct Macroinvertebrate Monitoring?

Stream restoration work is done to improve habitat for life in the stream. By looking at the macroinvertebrate (animals without a backbone that are visible to the unaided eye; insects, crustaceans, mussels, worms) communities following restoration, we can measure the response of stream life to habitat changes and the effectiveness of restoration. The City of Portland and the US Army Corps of Engineers reconstructed the Crystal Springs Creek channel in Westmoreland Park in 2013, restored the duck pond and stream at these locations to create a more natural stream channel and planted native vegetation to help cool the stream. The restoration project can benefit macroinvertebrates and fish, and surveys will be part of long-term monitoring activities to measure the health of the stream and monitor the effectiveness of restoration activities.

Who Can Help? 

No prior experience is required. Volunteers must register for both the classroom training session and the in-stream survey work. Prepare for an evening in the classroom and then a day in the water and wear clothes you don’t mind getting wet and mucky. Closed-toed shoes are suggested because of the possibility of sharp debris in the stream.     

Please dress for the weather and bring plenty of water!                                                   

What Will the Work Involve?

Volunteers will learn about the biology and ecology of stream macroinvertebrates, learn how to identify some of the most common families of macroinvertebrates, and learn stream survey methods during an evening classroom training session. On the following Sunday, Volunteers will then spend the day in and near the stream to collect macroinvertebrate samples, record habitat data, and use their identification skills to help identify collected samples on-site.

ABOUT THE XERCES SOCIETY

The Xerces Society is a nonprofit organization that protects wildlife through the conservation of invertebrates and their habitat. For over forty years, the Society has been at the forefront of invertebrate protection worldwide, harnessing the knowledge of scientists and the enthusiasm of citizens to implement conservation programs. For information about the Xerces Society, visit http://www.xerces.org/.

ABOUT THE CRYSTAL SPRINGS PARTNERSHIP

The Crystal Springs Partnership is a group of community members, organizations, and City representatives who are working toward making the Crystal Springs Watershed a vibrant, healthy place for people and wildlife. The group is partnering local knowledge and agency expertise to develop a national model for urban watersheds. In particular, working toward ensuring that Crystal Springs Creek will have healthy urban salmon through community collaboration around education, advocacy, and restoration. For information about the Crystal Springs Partnership, visit http://www.crystalspringspdx.org/.

MEETING LOCATION

Classroom Training:

The evening classroom training session on Thursday will be held at the Johnson Creek Watershed Council in Milwaukie, OR.

Stream Monitoring:

The day-long stream survey on Sunday will take place in Crystal Springs Creek at Westmoreland Park. Please meet at Westmoreland Park, at SE 22nd Ave., just south of SE Bybee Blvd. Meeting place is subject to change - please look for a reminder email prior to the event with specific meeting place information.

PLEASE NOTE: Participants must attend both the evening workshop/training session and the day-long stream survey. By registering, you are registering for both the classroom training session and the in-stream survey.