Dragonfly Mercury Project

Park Event · Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park · Sep 13, 2026 · 9:00 AM–1:00 PM

Dragonfly Mercury Project

Support scientific monitoring of park ecosystem by collecting dragonfly larvae samples from the Pogue to be sent to an outside laboratory for mercury concentration testing. Dragonflies are an indicator species and this data provide high-quality data on mercury contamination and risk.

Since 2009, over 8,500 volunteers have helped collect dragonfly larvae for scientists to analyze for mercury. This work has happened in more than 190 national parks and other protected areas.

Volunteer Information

Volunteers will participate in a park-led training and safety briefing at the Forest Center before hiking 1.5 miles uphill to the sample site (3 miles in total). Along the edge of a mountain pond, volunteers will use dip-nets to collect and identify dragonfly larvae.

Volunteers should be able to safely bend, knell, lift, and travel over uneven ground and must be age 12 and above. Volunteers under 18 must be accompanied by a legal guardian. No prior experience needed.

Register for this community science opportunity by Friday, September 11.

Source: National Park Service (public domain).