We couldn’t have asked for a more gorgeous day to get out into a local stream and evaluate its water quality! Here are some photos from last week’s WAVE (Water Assessments by Volunteer Evaluators) training led by NYS DEC.
Using the knowledge and hands-on experiences that was gained through our training, each of us will be able to go out and assess nearby streams to determine if they are impacted by pollutants, sedimentation and so on based on the little critters (macro-invertebrates) we find living beneath the rocks and logs within each. As we work on the Chadakoin River, in French Creek and other streams surveying spiny softshell turtles, hellbenders and beyond, we will be able to determine the quality of each habitat they are in. Stay tuned as our field season will soon be in full swing and we will be working to gain a better understanding of the incredible habitats and species that exist within our county and region!
Elyse Henshaw
Conservation Technician
