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 Aquatic organisms are a telltale sign of water quality. Because many of them are very sensitive to pollution, you can tell a lot about water quality by just looking at what’s living in the river.
That’s why Huron Pines helps volunteer groups establish water quality monitoring programs in their watershed. The primary objective of the program is to produce high-quality data to assist natural resource managers in aquatic resource management decisions.
Volunteers are encouraged to help collect aquatic macro-invertebrates (underwater “bugs” and other organisms) for identification and counting. Over time, results can be compared from multiple sampling events at each site to monitor for changes in water quality and the health of the river.
The monitoring primarily includes an evaluation of macro-invertebrate communities and stream habitat. The essence of this project is to have volunteers that live or recreate in a particular watershed get out and collect aquatic insects at various sites. These insects, upon identification, will tell the story of the water quality in each stream reach because of their sensitivity to environmental conditions.
Local involvement is the key to long-term viability and growth of the program. Volunteer monitors come away with a greater sense of ownership, awareness, and knowledge of the health of the waters they call home. More involvement by volunteers ultimately leads to more support and advocacy for protection of our rivers. Please contact our Restoration Project Manager to learn how you can get involved.
Michigan Clean Water Corps (MiCorps) Program
The MiCorps program (www.micorps.net) is designed to assist volunteer groups in the collection and sharing of water quality data. The program was created through an executive order by Governor Granholm to assist the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) in utilizing water quality data for use in water resources management and protection programs.
Huron Pines is working with several groups, including the PRVEL Coalition and the Paul H. Young Chapter of Trout Unlimited through the MiCorps program.
Local units of government and nonprofit entities are eligible to receive grant funding for water quality monitoring in wadable streams and rivers. The grants may be used to fund a local monitoring coordinator and/or purchase water quality monitoring supplies. Please visit the MiCorps website for more information.
How to get involved and improve water quality
As a local resident, you can become involved in a number of ways:
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