The city of Bainbridge Island is searching for volunteers to conduct benthic macroinvertebrate (stream bug) sampling.

“Stream bugs represent an enormous diversity of body shapes, survival strategies, and tolerance to pollution, so they are often used to assess the biological integrity of streams,” explained Cami Apfelbeck, the city’s water quality and flow monitoring program manager.

The city will be conducting this year’s stream bug sampling in local streams from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 12 and Wednesday, Aug. 13. Volunteers can choose to help out for one or both days.

City officials said stream bug sampling is easy to do, so anyone 18 years of age or older can help.  No particular knowledge or skill is necessary, and all training takes place during the sampling effort.

For information about stream bug sampling and other water quality related opportunities for volunteering, contact Apfelbeck at 206-780-3779 or capfelbeck@bainbridgewa.gov.