Benthic Invertebrate Stream Monitoring

Each fall and spring the Forestry Crew puts on their waders and gets in the Swannanoa River where it flows through the Warren Wilson Forest to monitor the health of the river. The crew works in collaboration with the Stream Monitoring Information Exchange, an organization that indirectly measures water quality by capturing, identifying, and counting benthic invertebrates. If the right number of these invertebrates are in the river, coupled with the presence of some indicator species, then the water quality is good and the river is healthy.

Dragonfly larva from the Swannanoa River

Forestry Crew member Morgan Kaelin spends some time with the dragonfly larva while Charles Williamson counts bugs

Forestry Crew Members Receive Recognition

This year two of our graduating seniors received recognition for their work on the Forestry Crew.

Julie Larsen won a Work Award for her role as a leader on the crew. Julie has been an indispensable member of the Forestry Crew, a Captain of the Timbersports Team, Chair of the Society of American Foresters Student Chapter, led the crew on multiple service projects, and did the majority of the work in creating this blog.

Julie Larsen with her Work Award

Additionally,  Forestry Crew member Nick Biemiller won a Service Award for his leadership on a project the Forestry Crew took part in on Little Hump Mountain in the Highlands of Roan. This project was in collaboration with The Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy, and helped establish habitat for the Golden-Winged Warbler.

Forest Manager Shawn Swartz, Nick Biemiller, and Forest Director Dave Ellum at the Service Awards Ceremony