1. Home ::
2. Get involved

Waterbug Surveys

Anyone can be involved! If you are interested in rivers, streams, wetlands, ponds, oxbows or even farm dams, then join us as we figure out how many of Australia's waterways are in good nick, and how many need a bit more TLC. 

We'll be using a net and an app to have a closer look our waterways.  By identifying the littler animals (waterbugs) that live in them, we can learn a lot about freshwater ecology, and also how healthy these bodies of water are.

Waterbug experts will also be on hand to answer questions and confirm waterbug identifications.

Why get involved?

1. learn about freshwater ecosystems and waterbugs
2. get outdoors and spend time in nature discovering and exploring our waterways
3. figure out if the waterways you care about are healthy
4. contribute to data sets that can help us improve the condition of our rivers and wetlands

How long does a Waterbug Blitz take?

Participants can get involved in the National Waterbug Blitz in three ways:

The waterbug survey uses the Agreed Level Taxonomy (ALT) method, which has been specially designed for both citizen scientists and professional scientists to use to collect quality data. It uses clear, every-day language and explanations for identifying waterbugs without the need for microscopes.

River Detectives is a simplified method directed for schools and new participants, which identifies bugs to the equivalent of order level.

Both the River Detective and the waterbug survey methods use live pick methods where participants collect the waterbugs with a net and identifying them in trays, then returning them alive to the river (Our buddy Priya describes the whole process here on youtube).

The data can also be compared with other existing data sets collected by government departments and other scientists, such as SIGNAL. See more information at The Waterbug Company ALT webpage for more information on the waterbug survey method.

What resources and training will be available?

A range of resources will be available to assist participants to complete the Blitz:

	The Waterbug App: helps with waterbug identification. Download it from Google Play or iTunes for free.  The current version helps with waterbug identification.  Once we launch the program it will assess your site as well!
	Nets and gear are available from The Waterbug Shop.
	Training sessions can be arranged through The Waterbug Shop  or by contacting us.

To complete a Waterbug Blitz, all you’ll need are some nets, a bucket, white trays, spoons, pipettes and your smart phone. Printed copies of the waterbug identification guide and result sheets are also available if you don't want to get your phone wet (available from The Waterbug Shop, or you can download them for free and print them out yourself here).

Participants will be able to use a mobile device (e.g. smart phone) to submit photographs of waterbugs they can’t recognise for our waterbug experts to identify.

A range of Waterbug Blitz training workshops will be on offer for National Waterbug Blitz for volunteers and local support partners who may wish to enhance their Waterbug Blitz skills prior to the annual survey. Contact us to organise one for your area.  More details to come!