Whether you’re a long-time volunteer, you’ve never looked through a microscope, and anywhere in between, CSI is now holding weekly BMI identification sessions for any one interested in getting involved. Adrianna Hirtler, CSI’s BMI Specialist, will be at the sessions to train and help volunteers with identification.
Biological monitoring is a fun, affordable, and effective method of stream monitoring. BMI, or Benthic Macro Invertebrates (bottom-dwelling organisms without backbones that can be seen with the naked eye) can tell us a lot about stream health. Benthic macro-invertebrates live on stream bottoms and include a wide variety of insects (during one or more stages of their life cycles) and other small aquatic organisms. They feed on algae, decomposing organic matter from local landscape sources such as leaf litter; sometimes eat each other. They themselves are the base of both aquatic and terrestrial food chains.
Thursday nights from 6-9 PM the CSI Lab will be open for volunteers to come and work on identifying BMI samples. If you haven’t been involved in the sampling process before – that’s no problem! There are plenty of samples to sort through. If you’re new to Biological Monitoring process – this is a great way to get started! The Thursday sessions are a great opportunity to get your feet wet without having getting your feet wet.
RSVPs are suggested but not required. Contact Adrianna Hirtler at adriannalouise@gmail.com if you plan to attend.
There will be no session on 11/27 due to Thanksgiving.
