Anglers' Riverfly Monitoring Initiative (ARMI) - Riverfly Monitoring Training
Wednesday 17th September
9:30 am - 4:30 pm
Stadhampton Village Hall
The Grn, Stadhampton, Oxford OX44 7UW
Join us for a 1-day training to become a certified Riverfly Monitor!
This event is hosted by River Thame Conservation Trust and aimed at anyone interested in monitoring and protecting their local watercourses from pollution events through the ‘Angler’s Riverfly Monitoring Initiative’. Monitoring is an excellent way to protect river health while fostering local community, science and sustainability. Monitors aim to carry out a survey at their site on a monthly basis, where they collect a sample of the invertebrate life and submit their results to a national database.
In this training you will learn:
- The Riverfly scoring system and how the scheme was designed
- How to identify a range of key aquatic invertebrate groups sensitive to pollution
- The methods for collecting an invertebrate sample using the kick sample technique
- How to score your samples and submit your data online
- What to do if your sampling indicates a pollution incident
Once trained you’ll receive a certificate and be fully certified to start monitoring your own site in one of your local watercourses.
The training day will roughly follow the below schedule:
Morning: Theory sessions
Introduction and context: The Anglers’ Riverfly Monitoring Initiative (ARMI), Riverfly groups – biology, lifecycles & ecology, how to submit your data
Lunch Break
Afternoon: Practical Sessions
Sampling Method, Fieldwork, Riverfly Identification, Summary
On the day you will be provided with all the equipment you need and resources for species identification, health & safety and so much more.
All you need to bring is your wellies and weather appropriate clothing.
Hot drinks, cakes and sandwhich lunch will be provided but you are welcome to bring your own packed lunch. Please let us know if you have any allergies or dietary restrictions.
The training includes a 10-minute walk to the field site and practical work in the river, which involves standing in moving water and getting in and out of the riverbank. Please consider your own level of mobility and comfort with these activities before attending, so you can take part fully and safely.
Registration required
Sign-up for the training event at the bottom of this page. If you do not see the option to sign-up you either need to log in with your Better Impact details or create an account.
As a small local charity, we rely on donations to help cover the costs of delivering training like this. We suggest a contribution of £30, which you can give online at www.riverthame.org/donate or on the day when you arrive.
If you have questions or need help with the registration, contact us at enquiries@riverthame.org
