OzGREEN is running its ninth Macro Muster, a free hands-on citizen science event at the Bellingen Showground on Thursday 24 October from 4pm till 7.30pm.
Part of the Bellingen Riverwatch program, and the largest community-led initiative of its kind in Australia, the muster empowers locals to become part of real time science by helping track and protect the water quality of the Bellinger, Kalang and Nambucca River catchments.
This immersive macroinvertebrate monitoring event provides data on the state of these local rivers through investigating the myriad waterbugs that live within them.
The waterbugs act as biological indicators, giving an accurate picture of river health.
The data helps support the ongoing management of these rivers and the recovery of the Bellinger River Snapping Turtle.
“Macro Muster is all about connection,” said Bellingen Riverwatch Program Manager Amy Denshire. “Connection with Country, with community, and with the life teeming beneath the surface of our rivers.
“We’re excited to see even more locals getting involved in this round – it’s a wonderful event to share with your friends, family and neighbours and a powerful example of grassroots citizen science in action.”
Participants work in small groups to identify waterbugs from the river monitoring sites, guided by experienced volunteers and scientists.
OzGREEN team member Trish Reinten said, “Every event adds to a deeper story of our rivers.
“I love seeing how the data builds over time.”
A key part of the event’s success is thanks to the dedicated collecting volunteers, who visit the sites before the muster to collect waterbug samples for the community to identify.
They are assigned a site and equipped with nets, waders and buckets to gather samples to bring to the showground for all of the testing volunteers to count and identify the waterbugs.
New collectors are paired with experienced volunteers to ensure proper sampling techniques are followed.
This event is for all community members eight-years and over – no prior experience is necessary.
All training is provided on the day in a fun, welcoming atmosphere and there are easy-to-use resources that have been developed by partners and volunteers over many years.
The event kicks off at 4pm in the Main Pavilion at Bellingen Showground, followed by a shared community dinner.
To volunteer for either catchment, contact Trish on trish@ozgreen.org.au and to learn more and register, visit ozgreen.org/macromuster.
By Andrea FERRARI
You can help your local paper.
Make a small once-off, or (if you can) a regular donation.
We are an independent family owned business and our newspapers are free to collect and our news stories are free online.
Help support us into the future.
