Last week I had an opportunity to go out with a local conservation authority and perform some stream surveys.
While it was incredibly hot the water helped cool things down a bit!
These surveys help gather important physical and biological information on local streams and creeks.
Part of the surveys involved taking different readings such as dissolved oxygen, conductivity, pH, and both air and water temperatures – as I’m doing in this photo. But we also took some bank and plant measurements, noted plant composition, invasive species, and signs of wildlife (including some very friendly damselflies that kept landing on my shoulders and hat!), as well as noting critical fish habitat and substrate composition.
I was able to see some bobolinks (a COSEWIC Threatened bird), some beaver activity, lots of raccoon tracks, and possibly coyote tracks. It’s always nice to get out in the field!
Terri-Lee Reid
Terri-Lee Reid is a Freshwater Conservation Researcher at the Canadian Wildlife Federation (CWF). She leads initiatives in researching, designing and delivering freshwater programs and advocating CWF’s freshwater positions to government, the public and other stakeholders.
