News for Macroinvertebrate Monitors
Monitoring Training
Contact Lily Whitesell for more information on these trainings.
1. Introduction to Macroinvertebrate Monitoring
Goal of class: Provide Arlington stream and the monitoring program background and introductory information. Help prospective volunteers determine if this program is the right fit for them. Class style: Webinar or presentation. Can't make the date? This training is also offered as an asynchronous online option.
2. Team Lead and Master Identifier Refresher - Open to All Monitors
Each year, prior to the start of the spring stream monitoring season, we hold an annual refresher. It is geared primarily for team leads, identifiers, and experienced monitors, though all monitors are welcome to join in. We go over common reminders for the protocol, identifying, best practices, etc.
3. Arlington Macroinvertebrates - Open Lab / Master Identifier Test (In-Person)
Goal of class: Improve observation and identification skills of common macroinvertebrates of Arlington streams using preserved samples. Improve familiarity with macroinvertebrate body parts that are important for identification. Open review and question-and-answer format. Class style: Laboratory. Limited to a maximum of 12 participants, each participant uses a microscope and preserved samples. An Arlington-specific manual will be provided to participants. The Master Identifier Test will be available to participants.
Identifier Review and Quiz: Take the quiz of preserved samples to become a certified Arlington identifier. Identifiers help guide new team members and double check IDs. You can also take the quiz to test your knowledge and see how far you've come. This class will review key characteristics of macroinvertebrate preserved samples, and what to look for, and then monitors can take the quiz using their notes, the ID card, and any other resources. A group of preserved bugs will be provided.
4. Mistaken Identity Webinar - Arlington Macroinvertebrates - Online Goal of class: Review Arlington's trickiest macroinvertebrates: tiny specimens, colorless, and ambiguous movements. See photos and videos of the hardest-to-identify macroinvertebrates we've found in Arlington. Review the key characteristics needed for positive identification. Organisms reviewed:
- Group 1: Netspinner caddisflies, Fingernet caddisflies, Midges
- Group 2: Small minnow mayflies, Narrowwing damselflies, Broadwing damselflies, Spreadwing damselflies
- Group 3: Flatworms, Aquatic worms, Leeches, Crane flies
This training is available online.
5. Arlington Macroinvertebrate Communities - Online
Goal of class: Review common macroinvertebrates of Arlington streams. Learn about Arlington macroinvertebrate taxonomy to the order and family level with both common names and scientific names. Learn about their life cycle, adult stage, and their tolerance values. This online course is more focused on macroinvertebrate appreciation (not IDs). Class style: Online.
View the recorded Arlington Macro Communities webinar. To receive credit, email the program coordinator with three things you found interesting from the presentation.
6. Mastering Field Work Goal of class: Improve mastery of field methods and work through common, real-life questions and challenges related to stream monitoring.
Resources
Rock Rubbing
A review of rock rubbing. Gentle, but firm.
See more rock rubbing videos on our Flickr page.
Root Jabbing
Are you monitoring a site with undercut banks and roots that hang into the stream? You should be using the root jab method to sample this habitat and the clinger macroinvertebrates that live there. Learn how to perform a root jab by watching a short video with Matt Lajoie of Stantec