We’re continuing these very popular sessions once a month throughout 2024! We are looking for up to 8 people to help us monitor the invertebrates of the tidal River Lea.

The presence or absence of certain freshwater invertebrates can tell a story of a water body’s health. Because some invertebrates are more sensitive to pollutants than others we can use them as “indicator species”. Assessing the types of invertebrates found indicates something about the health of the water body they have been found in. As the Lea is a tidal river it also contains brackish water so we will be developing a novel assessment of water quality based on the invertebrate community found here.

What the volunteering opportunity will involve:

• Kick sampling in the river.
• Identification of invertebrate species.

What the volunteering opportunity will involve:

• Training in aquatic invertebrate species identification.
• Experience in aquatic invertebrate sampling techniques.
• Confident canoers and kayakers will accompany volunteers on the water.
• Access to our Biodiversity Officer
• Access to and training in the use of a stereo microscope.
• All necessary equipment and any required PPE.

What we’re looking for from our Aquatic Invertebrate Survey volunteers:

• An interest in biodiversity/ecology/entomology.
• Enthusiasm for the project & the objectives of Cody Dock.
• This event is 18+ years only