Master naturalists assess Calico Creek

Master naturalist stream volunteers braved frigid temperatures on Calico Creek to continue quarterly monitoring for water quality in mid-February.
The North Central Arkansas Master Naturalist (NCAMN) Stream Team evaluates water quality in 10 area creeks and share the data with Arkansas Game and Fish Commission (AGFC).
“We use two basic measures of water quality,” says Clair Cresto of Calico Rock, “chemistry and macroinvertebrate (water critters) populations.”
Some volunteers collect water samples to test for phosphates, nitrates, and oxygen saturation, while others temporarily capture water critters—insects, snails, larvae, crayfish, even eels—to identify and estimate populations. Specimens are returned to the creek afterward, she adds.
NCAMN volunteers also cultivate several pollinator and native plant gardens like the one on Rodman Avenue in Old Calico Rock, build and maintain hiking trails, host nature programs for children and their families, and support state parks like Ozark Folk Center and Bull Shoals-White River.
To learn more about volunteering with NCAMN, go to this website masternaturalists.org/ or email [email protected] to talk with chapter president Beth Kennedy. Applications to join open again on September 1, but the chapter welcomes volunteers to begin working with their teams at any time.

website:arkansasmasternaturalists.org/ or email [email protected] to talk with chapter president Beth Kennedy. Applications to join open again on September 1, but the chapter welcomes volunteers to begin working with their teams at any time.