Discover the underwater world of macroinvertebrates

NOTE: This is a Natural History Society of Maryland (NHSM) event taking place in Gwynns Falls-Leakin Park.

Registration is required at NHSM's website

See them up close and learn how they indicate stream health and what roles they play in stream ecology. Natural History Society of Maryland volunteers will show participants how to catch and identify macroinvertebrates. Suitable for ages 6 and up. All equipment will be provided. Dress for the weather and prepare  to wade in the stream and get muddy. Closed toe shoes that can get wet or rubber boots that go up to your calf or knee are recommended.

Macroinvertebrates are organisms that are large (macro) enough to be seen with the naked eye and lack a backbone (invertebrate). They inhabit all types of running waters, from fast-flowing mountain streams to slow-moving muddy rivers. Examples of aquatic macroinvertebrates include insects (in their adult, larval, or nymph forms), mollusks, crustaceans, and worms (Viklund, 2011).