Volunteers needed for Escanaba River watershed stream monitoring program

The Marquette County Conservation District is looking for volunteers to help out with a new project.

The group will be conducting a stream monitoring program through the Michigan Clean Water Corps along the Escanaba River watershed. They are looking for people of all ages to come help out with the fun outdoor volunteer opportunity.

“We will visit eight sites on the Escanaba river watershed,” said Marquette County Conservation District Native Plants Coordinator Allyson Dale. “We will be doing basic stream habitat assessments, and we’ll be collecting macroinvertebrates, sorting through them, and IDing them. Based on what we find with the macroinvertebrates, that will give us a good idea of the health of the stream.”

Those interested in helping out with the project are encouraged to attend one of the two volunteer training workshops. The first will be held at the Gwinn Clubhouse from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 17th, and the second will be on Saturday, September 20th at the Marquette Township Hall from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

For more information, you can contact the Conservation District by phone at (906) 226-2461, extension 102, or via e-mail at allyson.dale@mi.nacdnet.net.