Citizen Scientists from across the Eastern Hills and Alexandrina Plains are gearing up to get their feet wet and hands dirty for the spring round of Waterbug Bioblitzes.

Two separate events in both the Angas-Finniss and Bremer catchments will see pools at over 25 sites tested for water quality and macroinvertebrate (waterbug) activity.

“A Waterbug Bioblitz is a one-day event where community groups and individuals join our staff and aquatic ecologists to collect as much information as possible about the waterbugs and water quality of a catchment,” says Dana Miles, Senior Stewardship Officer, Landscapes Hills and Fleurieu.

“We’re really pleased to be working with Second Nature Conservancy to host these two family-friendly events, on both Peramangk and Ngarrindjeri Country.

“The help of the volunteers makes the events efficient and exciting. The findings contribute to a better understanding about the health of the waterway and catchment and help inform decision making around water planning. Plus, you never know what we might find!

“Last year we found the bizarre Gordian (horsehair) worm near Strathalbyn, and the year before that, we found a native fish called the obscure galaxias, which was looking very healthy and put back into the Finniss River. 

“We also found a species called the vulture caddis, which was the first record in the Angas-Finniss in over 15 years, so a very rare find!

“We generally meet up at the base in the morning, have a quick training, then split up in groups to monitor different sites, before meeting back at the lab to get a close-up look at what we have found and take records. 

“It’s a great learning experience and an opportunity to be a real scientist for the day. We supply all the equipment and lunch; all we need are keen volunteers with a love for nature.”

The Bremer Waterbug Bioblitz will be held on Friday 8 November, starting at Wistow Community Hall.

The Angas-Finniss Waterbug Bioblitz will be held on Friday 15 November, starting at Strathalbyn Natural Resource Centre. Volunteers can register online.

The Waterbug Bioblitz program is delivered in South Australia by the Hills and Fleurieu, Northern and Yorke and Murraylands and Riverland landscape boards, and partners.

The Angas-Finniss and Bremer Waterbug Bioblitz events are delivered by Second Nature Conservancy, with support from Landscapes Hills and Fleurieu and the Department for Environment and Water’s Flows for the Future program. 

These events are funded by Landscape Levy and the South Australian Government’s Citizen Science Grants program.