Citizen Science Month
April is citizen science month, and boy have the Tweed Foundation’s citizen scientists, the Guardians of the Tweed, been busy with the start of the riverfly monitoring season. We have completed Riverfly Parternship surveys in Eddleston, Peebles, Heriot, and Redscarhead, with surveys in Jedburgh and Walkerburn happening later this week.
Training to become a riverfly citizen scientist is also underway with many volunteers having already completed their theory training and bookings coming in for practical training sessions. If you are interested in becoming a Riverfly Monitoring Initiative (RMI) citizen scientist in the Tweed or Eye catchments you can find more details on our website, along with links to register for training sessions.
Starting on Friday there is also the Great UK WaterBlitz and the Big River Watch. These are two nationwide citizen science surveys that happen twice a year. If you didn’t order a water testing kit for this week, you can take part in September. For the Big River Watch all you need to do is download their app and spend 15 minutes watching the river. If you take part in either of these campaigns, we would love to know your results and see your pictures.
And if algae are more your cup of tea, would you be interested in learning about RAPPER (Rapid Assessment of PeriPhyton Ecology in Rivers)? If so, get in touch with our volunteer coordinator, Erica at echapman@tweedfoundation.org.uk
At the Tweed Foundation we also have a range of opportunities for volunteers to assist our biologists and habitat officer with their monitoring and research. Check out our website for more information.
To stay up to date with all our volunteer opportunities and citizen science programmes sign up to our volunteer newsletter here. And to register as a Guardian of the Tweed, complete this form
Happy surveying everyone!
Erica Chapman
Tweed Foundation
