Buglife runs the Guardians of our Rivers citizen science project, offering nationally recognised Riverfly training. Volunteers learn to monitor freshwater habitats by taking 3-minute invertebrate kick samples, helping spot early signs of pollution in UK waterways. The training consists of a 6-hour programme, broken down into two components: an online theory session followed by practical training at a pre-existing monitoring site. 

During the training you learn to use the Riverfly Monitoring Initiative (RMI) method. This includes:

• Identifying eight key, pollution-sensitive freshwater invertebrate groups
• Recording and calculating scores based on the invertebrates present
• Flagging potential pollution issues if the scores reach ‘trigger levels’

If you like the sound of this and you’d like to be involved in our Dreel Burn Riverfly community science volunteer group, please get in touch for more information on how to sign up.

This project is supported by The Facility for Investment Ready Nature in Scotland (FIRNS), delivered by NatureScot in collaboration with The Scottish Government