Hands-on Workshop
Macroinvertebrate Workshop
Led by Heidi Sedivy
Friday, July 24, 2020 on Placid Lake.
The workshop began with a presentation by Heidi Sedivy. Heidi is an educator and specialist in macroinvertebrates and invasive species in Montana.
She taught the workshop participants about common aquatic critters in Montana, including both invasive and native species. She also gave information about the threat of invasive zebra and quagga mussels and discussed why they pose such a huge risk to Montana’s waterways.
The afternoon provided a chance to get out and apply insights from the morning presentation.
Heidi brought various preserved macroinvertebrate specimens for the group to view and learn how to identify a few common species. This helped to prepare the group for what they would collect in the nearby Placid Lake shoreline waters.
After Heidi’s presentation, she led the group in species collection, using thatch rakes and D-nets. Participants got hands-on experience in collection, sorting, and identification of various macroinvertebrate species.
CRC was happy to have so many willing participants excited to learn about macroinvertebrates and why they are important to healthy aquatic ecosystems. To learn more about macroinvertebrates, visit the following websites:
General macroinvertebrate information
Montana’s common macroinvertebrates field guide
Invasive mussel information
Special thanks to Watershed Education Network for their support.
photos by Emily Mcguirt