The Red Deer River Watershed Alliance hosted a CABIN sampling event on September 17th at Fort Normandeau to learn about and support local biomonitoring in the Red Deer River. CABIN stands for Canadian Aquatic Biomonitoring Network and it is a standardized sampling procedure that is used to collect benthic macroinvertebrates from a stream or river and their presence and numbers are used as an indicator of the aquatic health for that water body reach. There were short presentations from RDRWA staff and David Johnson from Olds College on safety and biomonitoring used as a measurement of aquatic health. Followed by an opportunity for attendees to participate. The collection of invertebrates involved kicking and shuffling in the Red Deer River, as well as measuring of other physical and chemical data. The event hosted eight attendees and was a great kick-off to the CABIN sampling RDRWA will be participating in for the State of the Watershed report.

The Red Deer River Watershed Alliance would like to thank the following organizations for their support of this event:

The City of Red Deer – Funding for training & equipment made possible through the Environmental Initiatives Grant

Olds College – Event organization and equipment

Waskasoo Environmental Education Society – Event logistics and outreach partner

Red Deer River Naturalists – Outreach partner