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Dragonfly Mercury Project Resources

Explore the resources and multimedia products below to get more familiar with the Dragonfly Mercury Project (DMP). This page contains field sampling protocols, as well as communication and data interpretation products. Visit the DMP homepage for more background information on the study.

Field Sampling Resources

Featured Videos & Media

Silhouette of a group of people on a beach along the river in the Grand Canyon
News: Ancestral Lands Conservation Corps

Read about an unforgettable Colorado River science expedition, a joint effort between USGS, Ancestral Land Conservation Corps, & others.

Close up of a dragonfly larva on a white plastic spoon
Article: Mercury Delivery to Systems

Find out how tracing mercury isotopes in dragonfly larvae revealed mercury delivery pathways to ecosystems.

A green raft floats in a river. Canyon walls, green hill, blue sky, and clouds in background.
Videos: Partnership Highlights

Hear from different DMP partners about why this work is exciting and meaningful to them.

A group of volunteers in life jackets wade in a lake with nets
Video: A Community Effort

Discover what it's like to be a community member or citizen scientist volunteering with the DMP.

A volunteer compares dragonfly larvae in a magnifying box to an ID key.
Video: Youth in Parks

See DMP sampling in action at Rocky Mountain and Great Sand Dunes national parks.

Adult dragonfly suns wings on emergent grass
Article: Earned Wings in Maine

Learn about two of the first DMP partners, Acadia National Park and Schoodic Institute at Acadia National Park.

A stream runs through a green grassy field. Cloudy blue skies and dark green trees in background.
Interview: What Have We Learned?

Hear DMP scientists share what they've learned and the data tools they've developed.

A team of scientists stands in front of joshua trees.
Podcast: Behind the Science

Listen to Dr. Collin Eagles Smith from U.S. Geological Survey explain the importance of studying mercury in dragonflies.

A park ranger looks at a bug with a magnifying lens.
Article: Cracking the Code

Read how scientists are "cracking the code" to mercury bioaccumulation with a nationwide risk model.

A scientist sits on rocks under palm trees writing data.
Article: National Geographic

Read National Geographic's feature about the DMP and how dragonflies can reveal mercury contamination.

More DMP News

Showing results 1-10 of 35

  • Natural Resource Stewardship and Science Directorate

    Teaming Up for Science

    • Type: Article
    • Offices: Natural Resource Stewardship and Science Directorate
    two women sit on sandy area and catalog dragonfly larvae into plastic bags and containers

    A new partnership began in October 2021 and supports science and stewardship activities that benefit both parks and their local communities. Over the next five years parks and their communities will collaborate to identify and address their scientific priorities. Projects in the first year will focus on water quality, marine biodiversity, and preservation of night skies.

  • “Cracking the code” on mercury bioaccumulation

    • Type: Article
    • Locations: Acadia National Park, Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site, Amistad National Recreation Area, Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, Appalachian National Scenic Trail,
    • Offices: Air Resources Division, National Natural Landmarks Program, Natural Resource Stewardship and Science Directorate
    A person stands in a field looking at a bug through a magnifying lens.

    Read the abstract and get the link to a published paper on a model to predict mercury risk park waterbodies: Kotalik, C.J. et al. 2025. Ecosystem drivers of freshwater mercury bioaccumulation are context-dependent: insights from continental-scale modeling. Environmental Science & Technology. DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.4c07280

  • Cape Cod National Seashore

    Nature Watch: Flying Jewels - Living Flashes of Light

    • Type: Article
    • Locations: Cape Cod National Seashore
    Blue dragonfly landing on a twig.

    Dragonflies and damselflies play key roles in both terrestrial and aquatic habitats. These insects are often considered indicator species for watershed health, while the status of these species can give scientists insights into how aquatic ecosystems are faring. Want to learn more?

  • Air Resources Division

    Data from the Citizen Science Dragonfly Mercury Project Support Strengthened Emissions Standards Nationwide

    • Type: Article
    • Offices: Air Resources Division
    Three people look at dragonfly larvae in plastic trays

    Sometimes citizen science can inform big improvements in environmental protection. Data from the Dragonfly Mercury Project in dozens of national parks were recently used to support new EPA rules for lowered industrial emissions of mercury.

  • Dragonfly mercury studies uncover unexpected atmospheric delivery pathways

    • Type: Article
    • Locations: Acadia National Park, Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site, Amistad National Recreation Area, Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, Big Bend National Park,
    • Offices: Air Resources Division, National Natural Landmarks Program, Natural Resource Stewardship and Science Directorate, Wild and Scenic Rivers Program
    close up of dragonfly larvae on white spoon

    Read the abstract and get the link to a published paper on how dragonfly mercury studies uncover unexpected atmospheric delivery pathways: Janssen, S.E., C.J. Kotalik, J.J. Willacker, M.T. Tate, C. Flanagan Pritz, S.J. Nelson, D.P. Krabbenhoft, D. Walters, and C. Eagles-Smith. 2024. Geographic Drivers of Mercury Entry into Aquatic Foods Webs Revealed by Mercury Stable Isotopes in Dragonfly Larvae. Environmental Science & Technology. DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.4c02436

  • Dragonfly Mercury Project Partnership Highlight | Youth Conservation Corps

    • Type: Article
    • Locations: Glacier National Park
    • Offices: Air Resources Division, Natural Resource Stewardship and Science Directorate
    Two Montana Conservation Corps member kneel down to look at a tub of aquatic insects.

    Spend a day at Glacier National Park with the Montana Conservation Corps. This program inspires youth and young adults to be leaders and stewards of the land. See what it's like to do hands-on conservation work, like collecting dragonfly larvae, through the eyes of a youth corps member.

  • Dragonfly Mercury Project | Partnership Highlights

    • Type: Article
    • Offices: Air Resources Division, Natural Resource Stewardship and Science Directorate
    A group of volunteers stand in a lake, sifting the water with sampling nets.

    Explore these videos that highlight the different partnerships of the Dragonfly Mercury Project. Learn more about the youth programs, local watershed organizations, and student groups that participate in this nationwide study by collecting dragonfly larvae for mercury analysis.

  • Dragonfly Mercury Project Partnership Highlight | Community Students

    • Type: Article
    • Locations: Dinosaur National Monument
    • Offices: Air Resources Division, Natural Resource Stewardship and Science Directorate
    A green raft on a river, with canyon wall in the background.

    Explore how the Dragonfly Mercury Project offers a unique education experience, outside of the formal classroom. At Dinosaur National Monument, student volunteers enjoy collecting scientific data while floating down the river through a national park.

  • Dragonfly Mercury Project Partnership Highlight | Watershed Organization

    • Type: Article
    • Offices: Air Resources Division, Natural Resource Stewardship and Science Directorate, Wild and Scenic Rivers Program
    Volunteers wade in a sunlight stream with nets.

    Learn why mercury research is important at Wild & Scenic Maurice River (New Jersey). Here, a local watershed organization called Citizens United to Protect the Maurice River and Its Tributaries (CU Maurice River) helps sample dragonfly larvae for mercury analysis. The Dragonfly Mercury Project empowers community volunteers and helps protect human health.

  • Southeast Coast Network News

    • Type: Article
    Man in uniform standing behind a podium looking at a screen in front of a room full of people

    February 2024 newsletter highlighting the activities of the Southeast Coast Inventory and Monitoring Network.

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Last updated: March 13, 2025