You may have noticed that we have a creek running across our property. Actually we have Huizinga Drain flowing into nearby Rush Creek. This waterway is not only picturesque but also performs an important function as part of the Grandville/Jenison ecology. In co-operation with the West Michigan Environmental Action Council (W.M.E.A.C.) and the State Department of Natural Resources, Trinity has a group of volunteers who... periodically survey the health of this stream. The most recent check-up was on May 21. Here is some of what we learned and our observations.

We collected and sorted over 265 invertebrate creatures, most of which are “moderately sensitive” to pollution such as damselfly and dragonfly nymphs. We found others that are “sensitive” such as mayfly nymphs, gilled snails, and caddisfly larvae (so, this is a good health indicator). We also found the non-parasitic flat worm called a Planaria that is quite tolerant to water contamination. The interesting thing about this worm is its ability to regenerate—if cut into two pieces, it will become two worms. Unfortunately we did not find any live unionid mussels (clams).

With the recent high water an unusually large quantity of gar pike came up the Grand River into Rush Creek and Huizinga Drain which really surprised the DNR. So, spearfishing was perfectly acceptable. One of the team was even able to capture a 43-inch gar pike.

We even had a chance to discuss why God might have created so many different invertebrates that inhabit our stream. Kristi Klomp from W.M.E.A.C. said that this is a question that drives us to further study. God’s perfect plan is comprehensive enough even to include a purpose for the scuds and bloodworms of this world which like all others gives glory to God also. We found this waterway’s health to be in the “good” category. This drives us to study the creation, seek to learn from what we see, and try to preserve the balance that our Creator put in place.