2026 Spring Stream Monitoring Identification Day

Volunteer as a community scientist and learn to identify aquatic insects to help monitor the water quality of Eaton County streams!

Stream Monitoring Identification Day

Learn what it takes to be a community scientist at this free event! You will help to identify the aquatic insects collected from Eaton County streams to calculate a water quality score. Volunteers will meet in a science classroom in the C.S. Mott Academic Center at The University of Olivet. All equipment will be provided, and refreshments will be available.

For more information, contact Val Reisen at val.reisen@macd.org or 517-543-1512 x5.

The Eaton County Collaborative Stream Monitoring Program was established through Michigan Clean Water Corps (MiCorps) grants and operates in partnership between The University of Olivet and Eaton Conservation District. The monitoring program consists of sites in Eaton County within the Upper Thornapple River watershed. The design of the monitoring program focuses on cooperative learning and building relationships between volunteer community scientists and students. Through this collaborative structure, the program is designed for longevity in collecting macroinvertebrate and habitat data throughout the county each fall and spring, and aims to achieve the following outcomes:

• Provide new and continuous macroinvertebrate collection and habitat assessment data that will assist in assessing the success of any restoration projects and updating the watershed management plan;

• Educate and collaboratively engage Eaton County residents, students, and other stakeholders in monitoring, upholding quality, and protecting water resources; and

• Identify or verify problem areas where degradation has occurred and where future remediation efforts or best management practices can be implemented.