UPDATE: FOMR (Friends of the Middle River) has had to scrap our first set of dates for benthic monitoring at our 9 sites due to persistent flood conditions. We are uncertain as to when and if we will be able to do this volunteer activity this fall, but if we can, it will be ASAP in October. Keep and eye on the “upcoming events” on our website for new dates or let us know you are interested and we’ll make sure you get an email.
Website: http://www.friendsofthemiddleriver.org
Email: info [at] friendsofthemiddleriver.org
Friends of the Middle River is planning to monitor our benthic sites in late September and early October. We always welcome any volunteers who want to pitch in and pick and count critters or just see what we do and how we go about assessing stream health. (The species and quantity of certain aquatic insects indicate stream health).
This is always a fluid process (no pun intended) since we are dependent on the weather (peak hurricane season coming up), stream flows, and the schedules of our certified monitors.
It usually takes 1.5 to 2 hours to monitor a site. You don’t have to get wet, but dress appropriately, bring a camp chair, sun screen, insect repellent. If you have questions or want to help, send an email to info [at] friendsofthemiddleriver.org
Schedule as of September 5, 2018:
| Date | Time | Site | Leader | Meet at |
| Sep. 16 | 1 pm | Cline Lane | Ann Cline | DGIF office, Verona |
| Sep. 21 | 9 am | River Ridge | Sherry Stanley and Sarah Jordan | the first house on the right in River Ridge off Limestone Rd., Verona |
| Sep. 22 | 9 am | Summerdean | Whit Morriss | Churchville Library |
| Sep. 22 | 2 pm | Cattleman’s Rd. | Paul Bugas | Churchville Library |
| Sep. 23 | 1 pm | Damtown | Sherry Stanley and Sarah Jordan | DGIF office, Verona |
| Sep. 29 | 11:30 am | Dogback | Pete Cooper | Churchville Library |
| Sep. 30 | 1 pm | Honeysuckle Hill | Adrie Voors | On-Site |
| Sep. 30 | 1:30 pm | Eastwood | Phillip Davis | Churchville Library |
| Oct. 7 | 12:30 pm | Greenhills | Pete Cooper | Churchville Library |
MEETING ADDRESSES:
Churchville Library: 3714 Churchville Ave, Churchville
DGIF office: 517 Lee Highway, Verona
– Kate Guenther, Cohort I, Watershed Administrator, Friends of the Middle River
September 2018
More about the FOMR stream monitoring program including site locations and past results HERE.
Photo at top shows Ann Cline, Cohort I, sampling at her site on Cline Lane in April 2016
Virginia Master Naturalist Headwaters Chapter 