Chess Citizen Science Evening - Water Voles and Water Quality

This is a free gathering exploring some of the latest data gathered on the ecology and water quality of the River Chess, come along to find out more about your local chalk stream!

This evening of discussions will focus on sharing the results from three exciting projects:

• The 2025 results of the biannual water vole survey completed by citizen scientists on the Chess will be announced, and population trends trends analysed by Julia Lofthouse from Berkshire, Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire Wildlife Trust.
• Megan Dougherty and QMUL students will be presenting a suite of water quality research projects from Queen Mary University London, including investigations into phosphate levels and sediment analysis.
• Erin Doyle from Cranfield University will share the outcomes from her research using biofilms to detect river pollution, including data collected by citizen scientists on the Chess and Misbourne. Biofilms are communities of microorganisms including algae and bacteria that coat rocks on riverbeds, and can be monitored to assess river health.

This event is run by the Chilterns Chalk Streams Project as part of the River Chess Smarter Water Catchment partnership. It is free and open to everyone to come along to, whether or not you have been involved with any citizen science activities before!

Volunteers being trained to collect biofilm samples by Erin Doyle (Cranfield University) at Chesham Moor (C:Iona McMillan)

A baby water vole spotted on the Chess. (C:Allen Beechey)

Megan Dougherty and Tom Kelly (QMUL) collecting data in the Chess (C:Iona McMillan)

What to expect:

Meeting at 6.30pm at Chesham Town Hall we will have a series of presentations. There will also be light refreshments and a chance to chat.

The lineup is:

"Water Vole Survey Results and Population Trends" Julia Lofthouse, BBOWT

"QMUL Research Projects: Water Quality in the Chess" Megan Dougherty, QMUL

"Biofilm Research: Using Biofilms to Monitor Pollution Events" - Erin Doyle, Cranfield University

Meeting location:

This event is happening at Chesham Town Hall, Chesham HP5 1EP.

The event will be held upstairs in the Council Chamber, with signs to direct you on the night.

Getting here:

PUBLIC TRANSPORT: The Town Hall is only 5 minutes walk from Chesham Train Station, with easy train links to other towns along the Chess such as Chorleywood and Rickmansworth. There are also several bus stops close by.

PARKING: There is parking available next to the Town Hall at Star Yard Car Park, there is a small fee (0.90/hr) for parking before 7pm.

Who is this event for?

This free event is open to everyone! Whether you are already a chalkstreams volunteer, interested in the Chess, or just want to hear some cool facts about rivers ... anyone with any interest is very welcome to come along.

Contact:

If you have any questions about the evening, please email us at [email protected].

A previous citizen science evening

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Host or Publisher Chilterns Chalk Streams Project