Spring is officially here, so now is the time to sign up to volunteer for Sierra Streams Institute’s summer creek surveys! This is a great opportunity for anyone interested in getting hands-on experience in the field of environmental science and those trying to explore and think more deeply about the ecology of our local watersheds. From classifying the physical dimensions and characteristics of the creek itself to sampling the diverse array of stream-dwelling bugs and other aquatic life, volunteers will be joining a collaborative effort to document, conserve, and protect the health and quality of the vulnerable waterways that draw us out to wild places. Come spend time with a group of dedicated and knowledgeable staff and community members as we survey creeks this summer!
Crew members will be conducting physical habitat surveys by collecting data on the in-stream environment including the presence of woody debris, the speed of flow, and the size of the rocks that make up the substrate at the stream bottom. They will also be surveying the biodiversity of benthic macroinvertebrates (BMIs), or stream bugs, to characterize the health of the aquatic life in a given reach of stream. Lastly, algae samples will be collected and measured at our water quality laboratory to investigate this valuable food source which can become a dangerous nuisance at high levels, leading to eutrophication (oxygen depletion).
Additionally, some sites will be the target of eDNA (environmental DNA) analysis which is a scientific way of asking the question, “who lives here?” DNA fragments are present in the small bits of biological matter that float through the stream, and they can be amplified and characterized in a lab to provide what is essentially a barcode for different species. These DNA barcodes can be grouped together to create a catalog of organisms ranging from microbes to insects to fish and mammals. Data collected from this kind of analysis will continue to form the foundation of a burgeoning research effort to track and conserve vulnerable species in California based on a collection of DNA barcodes.
Volunteers between the ages of 16-30 that can commit to at least 20 hours of work per week also have the opportunity to earn a wage through a program called Connecting Point, sponsored by Nevada County. Training for all of the processes mentioned above will be provided post-signup, and position descriptions can be found at the following link: Internships – Sierra Streams Institute. We expect to start work in early June. Please contact Emma Walker at bugs@sierrastreamsinstitute.org if you’re interested in joining!