Weekly Update
October 21, 2009
Announcements
Director’s Notes – October 2009…
Dear StreamWatch Community,
This fall we are beginning to analyze data collected over the past 2½ years for our Land Use Study. The study covers fifty sites on streams draining a diverse array of landscapes ranging from urban to suburban to rural to wild. The data include our traditional “bug” samples, and also sedimentation, stream geometry, and stream corridor habitat data. At the landscape scale we will use data about forest cover, impervious surfaces, agricultural uses, and more.
We expect that comparing stream conditions to land use and land cover in streams’ catchments will help us understand “how much” land disturbance streams can absorb before experiencing certain levels of degradation. We also expect the study will help private landowners and public stewards to evaluate the effectiveness and practicality of various management options. The report will be released in late spring of 2010.
This and other StreamWatch efforts are made possible by the steadfast contributions of volunteers. On behalf of Rivanna streams and rivers, please join me in extending a heartfelt thank you to these generous, forward-thinking citizens.
Sincerely,
John Murphy
Director, StreamWatch
October Caddisflies…
Go to the Bug Blog to read about this month’s bug, the caddisfly. Keep an eye on the website for a new bug each month.
October anniversaries…
Congratulations to the following volunteer, whose volunteer anniversary is this month. Thanks so much for your work.
Elena Prien – 1 year
Save the date…
Mark your calendars for the annual StreamWatch volunteer appreciation party: Saturday, November 14, 6pm. As the date approaches, we’ll send a full invitation with details.
Fall sampling…
The fall monitoring season is from September 1st through November 15th. If you would like to help with a sample, see the potential volunteer dates (below).
Bob’s Bug Facts…
(brought to you by Bob Henricks)
Caddisflies most likely evolved in the Triassic period (c. 250 million years ago). Caddisflies (Trichoptera) and Moths (Lepidoptera) shared a common ancestor. Fossils of wings of Free living caddisflies have been found dating to the early Jurassic period (i.e. around 200 million years ago). Of our modern Caddisfly families, this is the earliest to be attested in the fossil record.
Potential Volunteer Dates
(Please contact Rose if you want to sign up.)
Sunday 10/25, 1:30pm
Tuesday 10/27 (sample will be led by Bob Henricks)
Wednesday 10/28 (sample will be led by Bob Henricks)
Friday 10/30 (sample will be led by Bob Henricks)
Thank you for volunteering with StreamWatch!
Rose Brown, Program Manager
StreamWatch
434.962.3527
P.O. Box 181
Ivy, VA 22945
Email Rose
www.streamwatch.org