GCSU Thirst for Knowledge: Georgia Adopt-a-Stream Chemical and Macroinvertebrate Trainings

Looking for something fun to do over the winter break that is outdoors and makes an impact?  How about adopting a stream?  

Through the Georgia College & State University Thirst for Knowledge Program, you can become Georgia Adopt-a-Stream certified this Friday (Nov. 22) at our beautiful East Campus (Lake Laurel). Chemical monitoring will be offered from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., and macroinvertebrate training will be from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Trainings certification is valid for one year.

The Chemical Monitoring Workshop is designed to teach volunteers about basic stream water chemistry and how to conduct various chemical tests using hand-held field equipment. The basic set of tests include dissolved oxygen, conductivity, pH and temperature. Volunteers who collect data within 10% accuracy and pass the written test with a score of 80% or better will be certified to conduct chemical monitoring. 

Stream macroinvertebrates (insects, mollusks and crustaceans) are excellent indicators of the condition of both water quality and habitat. This workshop will focus on macroinvertebrate collection techniques and identification; in other words, catching cool animals. Volunteers who identify the macroinvertebrates with 90% accuracy and pass the written test with a score of 80% or better will be certified to conduct macroinvertebrate monitoring and can “adopt” a section of a local stream.

Students can satisfy CbEL requirements for GC Journeys through the GCSU Thirst for Knowledge Program. 

For more information, email Ruth Eilers at ruth.eilers@gcsu.edu or visit the Georgia Adopt-a-Stream website: https://adoptastream.georgia.gov/. 

Visit these sites to register:

Chemical training: https://givepul.se/ubdhcu

Macro training: https://givepul.se/8bma33