Chris Henke helps students identify macros.
Photo by Amy Ulland
Loudoun Wildlife participated as a community partner in the Loudoun Student Environmental Action Showcase (SEAS) at Trailside Middle School on April 27. Loudoun SEAS showcases to a real-world audience the ways in which students have meaningfully contributed to environmental stewardship in Loudoun County.
Stream Team Coordinator Amy Ulland and Stream Team members Anthony Santos and Chris Henke provided participants with the opportunity to observe and identify a wide diversity of live benthic macroinvertebrates. Many thanks to Pat McIlvaine for providing the macros, which were a big hit!
Atmika Gorti presents her YCLI project. Photo by Amy Ulland
Certified stream monitors and former YCLI students Anthony Santos and Emma Lloyd presented projects on the potential for using macros to detect PFAS in streams and stream signage on the W&OD Trail. Current YCLI student Atmika Gorti, mentored by Amy Ulland, also presented her project which focused on monitoring salt pollution in tributaries in her neighborhood. We appreciate their efforts in furthering awareness of stream health issues and sharing their projects with the community.
Arlington-based company CMTA sponsored prizes and judged all in-person and virtual student presentations. Emma received second place for her project on “Stream Signage on the W&OD Trail,” and Anthony received third place for his project “Development of a Novel Method of Aquatic PFAS Detection Through the Use of Macroinvertebrates.” Congratulations!
Loudoun SEAS is co-hosted by Loudoun County Public Schools, Loudoun Environmental Education Alliance (LEEA) and the Northwest Virginia Regional GREENetwork. Mark your calendars for the 2024 event, which will be held on April 24 at the Academies of Loudoun.
Loudoun SEAS award winners. Photo by Amy Ulland.