As a field assistant for CBNERR-MD, I planned and implemented monitoring programs related to estuaries and riverine systems. I collected biological and field-based data on water quality, submerged aquatic vegetation, amphibians, fish, benthic macro invertebrates, and fish.
I was trained to survey Yellow Perch & Striped Bass spawning in the Bush River for DNR Fisheries. Using a plankton net within specific transects, we surveyed for the presence or absence of perch juveniles and bass eggs in the early spring.
In the summer I helped collect juvenile fish data for the same site in Hartford County. Using both a trawl net for deeper water and a seine net for shore surveys, I collected juveniles fish data to contribute to DNR Fisheries' fish index survey to assess biodiversity. Fisheries conducted the Fish Index survey for three years on the Bush River, afterwhich CBNERR-MD continued the study, enabling Fisheries to have unique, continuous data set (now for 13 years) for this river.
MBSS, The Maryland Biological Stream Survey, is a MD-DNR state-wide survey documenting current condition of streams and rivers and collecting an long-term database of biodiversity in Maryland's streams. I regularly assist MBSS collect data using electrofishing.