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Dragonfly Mercury Project

CURRENTLY INACTIVE

Calvert Stewards are partnering with the National Park Service to collect dragonfly larvae from different nature parks.

As part of our Dragonflies and Damselflies of Calvert County research program, the Dragonfly Mercury Project engages citizen scientists such as students and visitors to collect juvenile dragonflies in national parks. Dragonfly larvae live for years underwater eating insects and even small fishes. Mercury builds up inside the larvae and can give scientists insight into the health of the waters in which they live. Mercury is a toxic pollutant that can harm human health and wildlife health. Mercury often enters parks as air pollution from distant, human-caused, sources, like coal-burning power plants.

Visit the National Park Service Project Website for more information on the project and results.

Project Description (pdf)


Upcoming trainings and workshops

  • In the Field: Dragonflies and Damselflies of Calvert

    • 05/31/2025
    • 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM
    • Ward Farm Recreation & Nature Park
    • 9
    • 1 registrant
    Register

    For adults and teens

    Embark on a captivating dragonfly field trip led by local expert Jason Avery. While on the walk, we will learn about dragonflies and damselflies and discuss different types of habitats found in Ward Park and try to explore each of them to observe the diversity of odonates. If the opportunity presents itself, we may net a dragonfly for a moment to get a closer in hand look. We will then release it where we obtained it.

    This is a "skills building" field exploration to learn about finding and identifying dragonflies and damselflies. After the field trip, we hope volunteers will feel more comfortable with finding, photographing, identifying and reporting their observations.

    Volunteers can sign up through the Opportunity through Calvert Stewards 

    Location: Ward Farm Recreation & Nature Park, Dunkirk

    This is a free program.

    If rain is predicted to be over 60% for the day we will reschedule to Saturday, June 7, 2025

    Naturalist in Charge: Jason Avery

    Please consider the safety, health, and well-being of all participants in our programs and stay home if the participant(s) are ill. Full refunds will be given for cancellations due to health concerns.

    Please read our full policy statement and waiver.

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