WIND GAP MS MACRO MADNESS!

On May 19th, about 150 Wind Gap Middle School 7th graders released 60 brook trout fingerlings into the Bushkill Creek at Jacobsburg Environmental Education Center under the direction of science teacher Chris Schuck. Our Forks of the Delaware chapter provided a conservation talk, fly tying and casting as well as a session on macro-invertebrate identification which included a virtual assessment of three imaginary streams.
Prior to the event, macro-invertebrates were collected from several different streams within our watersheds and sorted by species into smaller samples.  These samples were then divided into three stations representing the imaginary creeks, Trout Creek, Bison Creek and Owl Creek. The students were then asked to identify the samples by species and number for each creek. Using a simplified scale, the students could calculate a total index for each stream. For instance, a stonefly was worth six points while a leech was worth only one point. If a stream had four stoneflies that would total 24 points, while in turn four leeches would total four points. Each group identified the samples and calculated a total value for all three streams and then we charted the results. As subsequent groups worked through the rotation, we would move some of the samples around and add and subtract “bugs” to each imaginary stream, thus altering the results throughout the day. We told the early groups that they were providing baseline data and with the latter groups I could discuss what causes could be changing the stream health either for the better or worse. In a much-simplified way, the students were also able to learn how biologists and other aquatic professionals use macro-invertebrates to assess a stream to determine its quality.
Other activities included a water quality demonstration, programs on birds and invasive species by the DCNR educators and a walk through Henry’s woods.