Our friends at the Farmington River Watershed Association (FRWA) invites community members to take part in their Riffle Bioassessment by Volunteers (RBV) training and an upcoming Aquatic Insect Survey Workshop. These programs are open to anyone interested in protecting Connecticut’s rivers and streams by learning how to collect and identify aquatic insects—important indicators of water quality.
Virtual Training
Date: Friday, September 26, 2025
Time: 6:30 PM – 8:00 PM
Location: Online via Zoom
This session will introduce participants to the RBV program, including its history, applications, and the methods used to categorize results. We’ll also review insect identification basics. Completion of this training is required for official RBV certification.
Field Training
Date: Saturday, September 27, 2025
Time: 12:30 PM – 2:30 PM
Location: Lions Memorial Park, 70 Cottage Street, Unionville
In this hands-on training, participants will practice collecting samples directly from the river and identifying aquatic insects. Please wear muck boots or waders and come prepared for outdoor conditions. This training is also required for certification.
No advance registration required.
Additional Field Workshop
Event: Aquatic Insect Survey Workshop
Date: Monday, October 13, 2025
Time: 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Location: Roaring Brook Nature Center, 70 Gracey Road, Canton
This Columbus Day workshop offers another opportunity to complete the field component of RBV training. Participants will gain experience in stream sampling and insect identification while contributing valuable data for watershed protection.
Why Participate
Healthy rivers depend on community involvement. By helping FRWA collect and identify aquatic insects, you’ll play a direct role in monitoring and safeguarding the Farmington River and other Connecticut waterways.