What's in the River? April 2025

We are looking for up to 8 people to help us monitor the invertebrates of the tidal River Lea!

A chance to hop in a canoe to go and do some aquatic invertebrate surveying in the river at low tide. We may also collect data on water quality, algae, clam abundance, and plant species.

The presence or absence of certain freshwater invertebrates can tell a story of a water body’s health. Because some invertebrates are more sensitive to pollutants than others we can use them as “indicator species”. Assessing the types of invertebrates found indicates something about the health of the water body they have been found in. As the Lea is a tidal river it also contains brackish water so we will be developing a novel assessment of water quality based on the invertebrate community found here.

What the volunteering opportunity will involve:

• Kick sampling in the river.
• Identification of invertebrate species.
• Using the Riverfly Monitoring Index
• Data collection and recording of our findings

What the volunteering opportunity will involve:

• Training in aquatic invertebrate species identification.
• Experience in aquatic invertebrate sampling techniques.
• Confident canoers and kayakers will accompany volunteers on the water.
• Access to our Biodiversity Officers
• Access to and training in the use of a stereo microscope.
• All necessary equipment, waders, buoyancy aids and other required PPE.

What we’re looking for from our Aquatic Invertebrate Survey volunteers:

• An interest in biodiversity/ecology/entomology.
• Enthusiasm for the project & the objectives of Cody Dock.
• This event is 18+ years only
• Bring a reusable water bottle and/or coffee cup, and a packed lunch or money for the cafe.