Launched in 2003, Adopt-A-Stream is The Watershed Center’s biannual stream sampling program. Each year, nearly 100 volunteers assess macroinvertebrate communities in wadable streams across the Grand Traverse Bay watershed. Surveying macroinvertebrates is a quick yet meaningful way to assess stream health as they have known tolerances to pollution, are easy to identify with little training, and are not very mobile within the stream.

Adopt-A-Stream provides high quality, reputable data that is used to track water quality, flag issues, assess restoration efforts, determine impacts of invasive species, and support management decisions. Additionally, Adopt-A-Stream helps cultivate a sense of freshwater stewardship and better understanding of water quality issues for volunteers in the program. Adopt-A-Stream provides the opportunity for community members to get involved and feel invested so we are all able to enjoy healthy, clean water.

Adopt-A-Stream is perfect for anyone who is interested in learning more about watershed health, stream ecology, and macroinvertebrates. Interested in becoming an Adopt-A-Stream volunteer? Contact Heather at hsmith@gtbay.org or 231.935.1514 x3 to learn more.