Thanks to the generous support of the Massachusetts Environmental Trust Grant program, we have been working with the North Atlantic Aquatic Connectivity Collaborative to develop and test a new Tidal Stream Crossing protocol. We offered two workshops in the use of the protocol and plan to offer more in the future. During our day-long workshop in Newbury, MA, Scott Jackson spent the morning teaching attendees about the original non-tidal protocol, what makes tidal crossings different and the intricacies of the data sheet used to collect field data. In the afternoon the group headed out into the field where Ipswich River Restoration Manager, Kaitlyn Shaw, with the help of Field Technician (and GIS mapper extraordinaire) Kristen Thiebeault, super-volunteer and IRWA member Lauren Fitzgerald and DER Stream Crossing Assessment Coordinator Jake Lehan, showed attendees what it was like to take tidal stream crossing measurements in the field. It was a beautiful day, and our colleagues from Western Massachusetts were thrilled to view the Saltmarsh wildlife including a stand of Glossy Ibis.
The Tidal Crossing Instruction manual, Scoring system and Data sheets can be found here, yet the form is to be used only by certified surveyors in order for data to be included in the NAACC database. In order to be trained in the Tidal Protocol you will need to first be trained in the non-tidal protocol through the North Atlantic Aquatic Connectivity Collaborative. Training modules for the new tidal protocol will be available in August and field surveying opportunities will be available subsequently.
Did you know that proceeds from the purchase of specialty plates such as the ones below are what made this work possible? Head over to the Massachusetts Environmental Trust website to get yours today!
For more information on training email [email protected]
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