In July 2017 Kaipatiki Project in partnership with Environmental Impact Assessments Ltd embarked on a community science stream care monitoring program. It comprises quarterly monitoring of 5 stream sites located in 4 catchments of North Auckland. Four schools participate in the stream monitoring each term and this work is supported with additional technical support from EIA Ltd to provide a state of the environment reporting framework for the community.
Monitoring includes fish and invertebrate sampling, pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen, nitrate nitrogen, phosphates, turbidity, clarity, specific conductivity and more recently E.coli testing. Litter surveys are also undertaken on an annual basis.
This paper provides a summary of results for the period July 2017 to August 2019. It demonstrates that by adding some technical support to a community monitoring programme the data quality and scientific defensibility of the programme is enhanced.
The monitoring programme provides an opportunity for the community to participate and engage in setting aspirational goals for our streams. There is a groundswell of enthusiasm to continue monitoring these streams and the general profile of stream care is being raised.