Learning about water quality down at the lake

On Thursday 15th June, 20 pupils who have expressed an interest in taking part in a local project on water quality had their first field trip down at the lake. Led by Chris Arbuckle of Aspiring Environmental and supported by Marine Biologist Marc Schallenberg, the young scientists studied samples of water taken from the outlet of Bullock Creek. As well as worms and snails the children found mayfly larva, which according to Chris and Marc is a positive indicator of the health of this water. The children had fun feeding the eels off the wharf and then did a rubbish sweep to see what ends up on the lake-shore.

Chris Arbuckle introduces the project to the pupils.

Focused on finding out what lives in the lake.

Mayfly larva

Marc Schallenberg shares his expertise 

Champions of the lake!

Longfin eels - Manaaki Tuna

Meeting the local duck population

Getting organised for a beach-sweep

Despite the lake-shore being cleaned every morning we still found this "hidden" rubbish.