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*Working toward healthy communities and creeks from headwaters to the bay.
Scappoose Bay Watershed Council
A healthy, vibrant watershed filled with native fish, wildlife and plants
A community dedicated to the current and future health of the watershed
A watershed where people can enjoy nature
57420-2 Old Portland Road
Warren, Oregon 97053
Phone: 503-397-7904
Fax: 503-397-9101
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Macro Invertebrate Monitoring
Starting in the fall of 2009, we set the goals of the program, developed protocols for sampling, set the sampling sites, and conducted preliminary training for staff and local volunteers and teachers. Now we are at a critical juncture in the program development as we look ahead to secure both funding and support to continue and build the program into an ongoing component of our watershed-wide monitoring program. We hope to be able to train volunteers to sample sites this Fall (2010).
Community partnerships between SBWC and the Xerces Society, Scappoose and St. Helens school districts, and community volunteers are integral to this project. By involving these groups in this sampling and education project, we can provide the opportunity for members of our community to get into the water and get a better understanding of the biodiversity of the streams that run through the heart of their communities. Participants in this program will be able to see the difference in the variety and community composition of macro invertebrates depending on the condition of the stream reach they are sampling. Macro invertebrates are good indicators of stream health. The results of the sampling can highlight the effects that human activities such as riparian vegetation removal, bank erosion, and non-point source pollution have on water quality and biodiversity.
The Scappoose Bay Watershed Council (SBWC) has partnered with the Xerces Society to design and implement a watershed-wide macro invertebrate sampling and education program that will enhance partnerships, engage students and citizens, and collect meaningful data that will be used to address stream limitations.