BMI Monitor

BMI Monitors

Want to recapture childhood memories of digging in the mud for bugs? We have the perfect opportunity for you! Benthic Macroinvertebrates (BMI) are small aquatic animals and larval insects that live in water bodies and can be seen without a microscope. The BMI population of a stream, river, or lake lets us know about the health of that waterbody, since some species are more tolerant of pollutants than others. Healthy streams support an abundance and diversity of BMIs. This data helps us identify restoration projects, or areas in need of further study. Volunteers do not need a background in science; everyone is trained by CRWA and equipment is supplied.

This program runs from early summer through September; for 2020, social distancing precautions must be taken. Please sign up for our volunteer alerts to receive notification when training sessions are added.

Questions?

Lisa Kumpf, Aquatic Scientist
lkumpf@crwa.org
(781) 788-0007 x228

Habitat Assessment Program: COVID-19 Edition

Within our BMI program, volunteers would also assess the habitats at their given sites. Due to the COVID-19 restrictions, we wanted to create a socially distant yet interactive and educational outdoors activity for quarantined family, and friends! Habitat Assessments provide us with important water quality data.

An interactive training webinar took place during Spring 2020, where participants learned how to conduct an appropriate Habitat Assessment using EPA’s Low Gradient Stream Habitat Assessment sheet, how to score properly, and how to take precautions to ensure safety during COVID-19. Volunteers are assigned specific sites (minimum of 1, and up to 2 per volunteer) we would prefer to have assessed but we are flexible if participants have a preferred area. As mentioned, this is a great solo or family activity while actively protecting the Charles!

We are not currently accepting any new volunteers for this program at this time. Please check back in June 2021 for next year's season. Current volunteers may use the materials below!