Explore the wonders of freshwater ecosystems with our Freshwater Exploration & Macroinvertebrates Resource page! This toolkit provides step-by-step activities and tips for hands-on citizen science projects, ideal for children aged 5-12 and beyond. Learn to assess your local freshwater quality by observing small details and discovering how macroinvertebrates serve as health indicators.
Welcome to our Freshwater Exploration & Macroinvertebrates Resource page!
This toolkit is meant to facilitate an in-depth view of freshwater and wildlife handling resources. Our kit offers a step-by-step introduction with activities and tips on how to use the tools to learn more about your local freshwater quality. This is an opportunity for everyone, including children aged 5-12, to engage in hands-on, meaningful citizen science projects. We hope you can channel your curiosity into expanding your region-specific knowledge in a fun and interactive way as you see fit!
Have you ever wondered about the quality of your local freshwater environment?
The materials in this kit help you observe small details in your local streams that you might not typically notice at first glance. Much of what determines freshwater quality is not visible to the naked eye, meaning that clear water does not always indicate a healthy ecosystem. Our kits allow you to discover what lies within your freshwater environment at a microscopic level, uncovering unique details and revealing how organisms like macroinvertebrates serve as indicators.
There are many activities to choose from, allowing you to pick the ones that sound the most fun or make the most sense for your club or class. Additionally, we have provided extra salmon resource links from partners across BC.
Check out our FreshwaterWILD magazine as a companion to this toolkit.
See below for links to more fun and relevant icebreakers, in-depth water monitoring activities, citizen science, and additional resources for the toolkit and freshwater explorations!
DOWNLOAD THE TOOLKIT TO GET STARTED:
1) Introduction page and Safety Tips (see our FreshwaterWILD Magazine for more on the importance of freshwater and how we might change our relationship with this precious and magical substance)
2) Stream Health Check (six activities to engage with your local stream or body of freshwater)
3) Aquatic Macroinvertebrates (what can the bugs and critters in the water tell us about how healthy that water is? A guide to getting started with activities. Check out the free online ID guides below and charts you can purchase.
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Extras:
Master List of Items needed for the full toolkit (pg.1)
What is a macroinvertebrate? (pg.2)
Living in Water…How Do You Breathe!? (pg.3)
Negative Impacts On Freshwater (pg.6)
Games and Energizers:
Inchworm shrug (stationary but energizing) (pg.8)
Resources:
Aquatic macroinvertebrate Identification
 | Excellent app to help you identify your macroinvertebrates! It also has helpful tips on how to sample correctly and extra information. Get it on Google PlayDownload on Apple |
 | This resource focuses on Eastern species, but many of these can also be found in B.C. The images, training materials, tutorials, and identification keys are excellent and highly applicable! Identification Key (very useful!) Companion ID Guide for Aquatic macroinvertebrates (use the search bar to find your insect with high-quality images available to be printed via a Creative Commons License) Training Guides, Charts, Free Images |
Do you have other resources you would like to recommend? Email programs@naturekidsbc.ca.
NatureKids BC will be running Freshwater-themed Explorer Days through our family clubs across BC but you are also welcome to create your own event with your friends, family, or class.
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We welcome questions and suggestions. Please feel free to contact us at info@naturekidsbc.ca We’d also love to hear about your experience with these materials on social media – please tag us!
Click here to follow us on Facebook and Instagram. Thank you to Linda Brooymans for all our work on this toolkit!
We are very grateful to our supporters:
