The Conservancy has been sampling macroinvertebrates in Mill Creek since 1996. Macroinvertebrates are bug larvae that live in streams for the first stage of their lives. Macroinvertebrates are valuable indicators of stream health because they have to live through all of the pollution streams take on. The diversity of the macroinvertebrate samples reflects the health of the stream because some macroinvertebrates are more sensitive to pollution than others.

Once a year, we collect macroinvertebrates from specific sites in Mill Creek. After the collection, we bring the samples back to our offices to sort through and identify the organisms in the sample. Former board member and long time volunteer Norah Goldfine leads the process of sorting and identifying the samples.

We are always looking for volunteers to help sort and identify the samples. No prior experience is necessary, we will show you everything you need to know. If you are interested in learning more, please contact Tom Clark at [email protected].

To view our macroinvertebrate data in a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet, click the link below:

Macroinvertebrate Data in Mill Creek Updated May 2018

A Rare Stonefly from Mill Creek