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Getting Started in Volunteer Monitoring: Overview

Getting Started in Volunteer Monitoring: Overview. USDA-CSREES Southern Region Conference Lexington, Kentucky October 2005. Linda Green USDA-CSREES Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring National Facilitation Project. 1972 amendment*= CWA

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Getting Started in Volunteer Monitoring: Overview

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  1. Getting Started inVolunteer Monitoring:Overview USDA-CSREES Southern Region Conference Lexington, Kentucky October 2005 Linda Green USDA-CSREES Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring National Facilitation Project

  2. 1972 amendment*= CWA Restore and maintain the chemical, physical and biologicalintegrity of the Nation's waters *Federal Water Pollution Control Act (WPCA, 1948) Used with permission from Abby Markowitz, Tetra Tech

  3. Used with permission from Abby Markowitz, Tetra Tech

  4. Why Monitor our Waters? • To educate ourselves about our water • To assess ecosystem health and human use • To detect early warnings of change • To provide insight into the causes of problems • To tell us whether we’ve achieved our management goals Volunteer Monitoring: Moving into the Mainstream, Austin TX 2000

  5. Federal Agencies EPA USGS Forest Service NOAA Fish & Wildlife States Environmental Agencies Drinking Water agencies Counties Municipalities Tribes Regulated Community Who Monitors our Waters? • Advocacy Organizations • Sporting Organizations • Watershed Organizations • Schools, 4-H Isn’t that enough monitoring?

  6. No! Only 18% of US waters have been assessed

  7. Is there a role for volunteer monitors? • Community Educators & Stewards • Citizen Scientists Photos from (NC) Watershed Watch

  8. “It is in the marriage of credible data and increased stewardship behavior that the true potential and vitality of citizen monitoring begins to emerge.” -Steven Hubbell, Colorado River Watch

  9. Reality of Using VolunteerCollected Data • We need more data at a higher frequency of collection • EPA has encouraged use of volunteer collected data • Volunteers want to do it right - Danielle Donkersloot, NJ DEP Vol. Mon. Coordinator

  10. Strong Nationwide Support

  11. USDA CSREES National Facilitation Project www.usawaterquality.org/volunteer • Build a comprehensive support system for Extension volunteer water quality monitoring efforts in the U.S. • Expand & strengthen the capacity of existing Extension volunteer monitoring programs • Support development of new groups

  12. www.usawaterquality.org CSREESvolmon-list@uwex.edu

  13. Who,What, why,

  14. Contact information for each Extension Volunteer Monitoring Program in the U.S. and its territories

  15. Results of Inquiry to Current Extension Programs on: • Program Beginnings • Training Techniques • QA Measures • Volunteer Support Tools • Outreach Tools • Program Funding

  16. Select Inquiry Results - Funding Extension program Funding sources in 2001 Extension program annual budgets in 2001 www.usawaterquality.org/volunteer

  17. Online Database: • Info on online database developed & tested at University of Wisconsin • Info on what to think about before setting up a database • Direct links to 22 programs with on-line databases

  18. Annotated Bibliography: • Studies comparing volunteer monitoring efforts to those professional • Pertinent Volunteer Monitor articles • Select EPA Vol Mon listserv discussion archives

  19. Received from: South Carolina Iowa Ohio (Secchi Dip-In) Rhode Island EASI (Env. Action for Senior Involv.) Virginia

  20. “Guide for Growing Programs” -Expanded factsheet format -Hardcopy and electronic formats -Lots ‘o links • Getting Started- about The Guide • Why Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring Makes Sense • Designing Your Monitoring Strategy-?’s & Resources to guide you • Matrix of Monitoring Activities • Effective Training Techniques • Additional Resources – equipment and supplies • Direct Links to On-line manuals • Building Credibility: QA/QC for Volunteer Monitoring Programs • Volunteer management and support tools • Outreach tools • Finding support and funding for local efforts * www.usawaterquality.org/volunteer

  21. All outreach materials to date, Including fact sheets, posters, and ppt presentations Summary of Vol Mon list serv online discussions

  22. So, let’s get started…

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