Discovering Stream Health Through Community Science: An Exciting Project for Outdoor Enthusiasts and Water Quality Advocates in Freeport, Maine”.

If you are passionate about exploring the great outdoors and care about water quality, then a community science project focused on stream health and water quality may be the perfect opportunity for you. Maine Audubon, in collaboration with Trout Unlimited Merrymeeting Bay chapter, is currently seeking volunteers to assist with sampling Frost Gully Brook to identify different types of large aquatic insects (macroinvertebrates) present in the water following the removal of dams.

The removal of the last three dams on Frost Gully Brook has freed this tributary that flows into the Harraseeket River, which ultimately flows into Casco Bay. As part of this project, volunteers will work in teams of three or four, conducting sampling at a location in Freeport over the course of the next year. Training, equipment, maps of survey streams, and data forms and instructions will be provided to all participants. Interested individuals can attend an in-person training session on May 16 from 5:30-7:30 pm at Selene’s Fly Shop in Gardiner or complete online training by watching two videos on the Maine Audubon website.

The data collected by community scientists will offer valuable insights into water quality and stream health. Large aquatic insects are considered excellent indicators of environmental changes, with some species requiring clean, cold water and high-quality habitat while others can tolerate warmer polluted water and poorer habitat conditions. The presence or absence of different species can provide valuable information about water quality and ecological health of a stream as these insects play a crucial role in the stream food web.

To sign up for this exciting project or to ask any questions, simply reach out via email to hyoung@maineaudubon.org. This project provides an excellent opportunity to contribute to scientific research while enjoying outdoor exploration and making a positive impact on stream and water quality.