Designing a Benthic Macroinvertebrate Monitoring Program for Your Stream Restoration Projects
Jason York
Michael Baker, Intl
Asheville, NC
Format: The format will be lecture-based, with a projection microscope showing examples of common macroinvertebrate species that may be considered good indicator species for water quality. Participants may also be encouraged to bring specimens for taxonomic identification.
Target Audience: Project managers for stream restoration projects and regulatory agencies that require biological monitoring as part of their overall success criteria.
Session Description: The session will focus on strategies for setting up an effective biological monitoring program using benthic macroinvertebrates for stream restoration projects. Topics will include identifying a reference reach and choosing sampling sites on your stream for pre- and post-construction.
Conversations will include differences in collecting protocols across states and in the interpretation of data and metrics.
Learning Objectives:
• Participants will understand the importance of identifying and utilizing a biological reference reach.
• Participants will understand the required protocols, metrics, and success criteria in their region (where applicable).
• Participants will learn how to identify locations on their project that would be appropriate for sampling benthic macroinvertebrates.
• Participants will be able to use macroinvertebrates to identify a stream as perennial.
• Participants will understand where to find additional resources in support of their biological monitoring programs.
Participant Engagement: Participants are encouraged to bring questions about existing and future projects so the session can demonstrate a “step-by-step” methodology for designing and executing a biological monitoring program.
About Jason York
Environmental Scientist, Michael Baker International
Jason York is an Environmental Scientist for Michael Baker Intl. (MBI) in Asheville, NC where he oversees MBI’s NC Certified Laboratory for Population Studies of Benthic Macroinvertebrates. His work is focused on pre- and post-construction biological monitoring of streams using aquatic insects as indicators of water quality. Jason has completed several large contracts throughout the mid-Atlantic region with MBI and Penrose Environmental Consulting, assessing water quality using aquatic insects. He is a certified taxonomist for Eastern Mayflies, Stoneflies, Caddisflies, North American chironomids, and General Arthropods through the Society for Freshwater Science, of which he is also a member. Jason has lived in Madison County, NC, since 2006, where he enjoys his family, the rivers, the insects, and the people.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jason-york-326b05143/