First Citizen Science Zoom Session a Success

On Thursday 18th February we saw the first of three online zoom sessions hosted by BFER and the Freshwater Habitats Trust for the Citizen Science: Testing the Waters project.

The aim of the project is to use new technologies, specifically environmental DNA testing and low cost, rapid result, nutrient pollution test kits. It also aims to involve people from the community in the collection of important biological and environmental data needed to better understand and protect freshwater habitats in the scheme area.

29 participants attended the first online zoom session which was presented by Anne Carter from the Freshwater Habitats Trust. The presentation introduced the reasons why we are doing this project and the successes of other similar projects, including the River Ock Catchment Project and the New Forest Catchment Partnership.

The session talked about how to get involved and take part in this exciting project, and explained how to use the water testing kits. The water testing kits will test the Nitrate and Phosphate levels of the water. All the data will be collected to give an overall view of the Brecks water bodies that will inform future projects.

How you can get involved

Volunteers of all ages and abilities can play a key role in helping to collect data critical to our understanding of freshwater quality in rivers, ponds and lakes throughout the Brecks. It will also contribute to the ability of land managers and those developing new projects to properly target future works to those areas that need it the most. It hopes to take advantage of opportunities to extend and connect high quality areas for the benefit of biodiversity in those areas.

Links to the PowerPoint presentations can be found here and also more information on Freshwater Habitats Trust: http://bit.ly/BFERTestingTheWater

If you are interested in this project and would like to take part contact Anne Carter, (acarter@freshwaterhabitats.org.uk)

The next workshops will be in the 18th March and the 15th April – see the flyer below for details.

For more information on the project click here to visit the project page.