IB Biology students conduct ecological tests on Snakeden Branch

IB Biology students conduct chemistry tests on samples they took from the Snakeden Branch during a field trip this morning. Their data will be used by Reston Association and USGS to evaluate the health of the stream.

IB Biology students strapped on waders and high rubber boots today and plunged into various reaches on Snakeden Branch.

They worked with representatives from the Reston Association and United States Geological Survey to take water samples, test phosphate, pH,  dissolved oxygen, and nitrogen levels, identify invasive species, and investigate other aspects of the stream habitat.

The data they collected will be used by the organizations to assess the health of Snakeden Branch.

“We do this project once a year with high school students in the fall and then our consultants that built the stream, Wetland Studies, come in the spring  and do their sampling so we can compare our findings,” Reston Association watershed supervisor Nicki Bellezza said.