community science with osu

Oregon State University is partnering with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Geological Survey to monitor mercury contamination in the Willamette Valley and engage community members in collaborative science. Using dragonfly larvae as indicators of mercury impairment, they will monitor 100 sites and assess how mercury exposure risk changes across the complex landscape of the Willamette River Watershed.


At each site, they will collect observation habitat data, water chemistry data, and 15 dragonfly larvae for mercury concentration analysis. They are seeking interested landowners with water bodies on their property (ponds, wetlands, or streams) that would be interested in learning more about the project and potentially giving permission to collect data on their property. Field work must be completed by November 2023. Please contact Cailin Sinclair at cailin.sinclair@oregonstate.edu for more information!