Natural Resource Management Aide

The Dragonfly Mercury Project (DMP) is a nationwide study that works with citizen scientists and community volunteers to collect dragonfly larvae (Odonata: Anisoptera) for mercury analysis. The DMP helps develop information and tools so we can understand how much mercury is in U.S. surface waters. Mercury, in its toxic methylated form, is a potent neurotoxin that is delivered to ecosystems via deposition from global atmospheric pools, and ultimately bioaccumulates in aquatic and terrestrial food webs. Each year, parks connect with the project team to join the annual dragonfly larvae sampling effort. After collection, park staff pack samples and send them to the USGS laboratory. Scientists study the dragonfly larvae samples and test them for mercury. This helps to mitigate mercury risk. Water samples will be collected at each of the 3 locations for dissolved organic carbon.

Dragonfly larvae will be collected using nets. Typically, aquatic macroinvertebrates are collected using standard D-nets with 500 micron mesh or dip nets with larger mesh. Once caught the larvae is picked up with gloves or pre-sterilized spoons from the nets and double bagged in zipper sealed bags. Individuals are then kept frozen until shipment. Family identification and measurement of the body size can be done in the field or in a laboratory setting. Any individuals that are not selected for analysis (due to the size) are immediately returned to the habitat that they were collected from. Water samples are collected slightly upstream from the dragonfly collection sites using the 60mL syringe and filters provide in the DMP kits. Water samples will be filtered into individual vials. Vials are labeled with two identical barcodes; one barcode will be placed on the data sheet. All vials will be placed in a foam sleeve and kept cool in a dark cooler with icepacks; never frozen.

Volunteer will assist with a variety of natural resources management projects including but not limited to Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Program, Dragonfly Mercury Project, and Monarchs’ Surveys.

Dragonfly Mercury Project:

·      Collecting invertebrates above the weir dam at Pafford Crossing, the Pecos River above the weir dam, and the Rio Grande below Amistad Dam.

·      Identifying specimens, measuring, and preparing for shipment.

·      Decontaminating equipment used