Bug collection will help gauge river health

The St. Joseph County Conservation District is hosting a three-hour, bug-collection opportunity at 10 a.m. Saturday at nine separate locations in three different rivers.
Conservation District executive director Carolyn Grace said volunteers are needed to collect the aquatic inhabitants as a means of gauging the health of the Portage, Prairie and Rocky rivers.
Grace and a team of volunteers – 29 people in all – took part in a similar event last October. She said data collection will be critical but the strongest measure of the river’s health will be based on macroinvertebrates present – or not present – in the water.
Grace said five people per site are ideal, so a minimum of 45 people would be considered a perfect turnout.
Nets, waders, buckets and all other accessories will be provided.
Children 15 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Prospective volunteers are asked to RSVP to help Grace and her staff plan accordingly. Her office number is 467-6336, ext. 5. The conservation district’s website is: www.stjoecountycd.com.
Its office is at 693 E. Main St. in Centreville.