Section 1: Lakefly Introduction
Estimated Time For Lesson: 5 minutes
Hello and welcome to Lakefly!
Thank you for signing up to take part in this exciting citizen science project. Whether you’ve done something like this before or it’s all new to you, we’ll guide you through everything you need to know.
What You’ll Learn
By the end of this online course, you’ll:
Understand what the Lakefly project is and why it’s needed
Learn why lakes matter and what threatens them
Be introduced to the 24 key freshwater invertebrate groups we monitor
Test your knowledge with a fun and interactive quiz
Once completed, you’ll be better prepared for your in-person training day, where you’ll get hands-on experience with sampling and invertebrate identification.
How Long Will It Take?
The course should take around 1 to 1.5 hours to complete, and you can return to it any time before your training day.
Course Sections
Welcome to Lakefly
Discover what Lakefly is, why monitoring lakes is so important, and the role you’ll play.Lakefly Invertebrate Identification
Get to know the 24 freshwater invertebrate groups used to assess lake health, from snails to mayflies, dragonflies, beetles and more.Test Your Knowledge Quiz
Have a go at our quiz to check what you’ve learned so far! Don’t worry - it’s just for fun and to help you feel more confident.
What Happens Next?
Once you’ve completed the online course:
You’ll be ready for the in-person training day where you’ll learn how to sample safely, practice invertebrate identification, and submit your findings.
You’ll receive practical guides, resources, and continued support as part of the Lakefly community.
