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Kristine Stepenuck 1 , Linda Green 2 , Elizabeth Herron 2 ,

Partnering with Extension for Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring. Kristine Stepenuck 1 , Linda Green 2 , Elizabeth Herron 2 , Art Gold 2 , Kelly Addy 2 , and Robin Shepard 1 1 University of Wisconsin 2 University of Rhode Island. Volunteer Monitoring is Sponsored by Many Groups.

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Kristine Stepenuck 1 , Linda Green 2 , Elizabeth Herron 2 ,

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  1. Partnering with Extensionfor Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring Kristine Stepenuck1, Linda Green2, Elizabeth Herron2, Art Gold2, Kelly Addy2, and Robin Shepard1 1 University of Wisconsin 2 University of Rhode Island

  2. Volunteer Monitoring is Sponsored by Many Groups • State Environmental Agencies • Counties • Interest Groups • Nonprofits • Universities/Cooperative Extension • Unique opportunities

  3. What is Cooperative Extension? • Land Grant University System - USDA • at least one in every U.S. state & islands • the people’s university • Mission: to bring science to the people, conduct educational outreach, and encourage “better practices” • Extension = community-based educators • Many county-based offices www.usawaterquality.org/volunteer

  4. Benefits of Linking Volunteer Monitoring with the Extension Network • Can reach an expansive audience uniformly- large network of educators within one organization • Local connections, local knowledge • Access to University resources • Facilities • Staff • Technical equipment/Materials www.usawaterquality.org/volunteer

  5. Benefits of Linking Volunteer Monitoring with the Extension Network • Meshes with Extension’s goals (strong environmental interest and the people’s university) • Existing partnerships between University and agencies www.usawaterquality.org/volunteer

  6. Extension Supports Volunteer Monitoring • Staff assistance with training • Program advice/consultation • Educational materials • Facilities • Lead role (sponsor) • Nationally

  7. Current Extension Programs • Total of 38 programs that are (co-) sponsored by Extension • Began as early as 1978 and as recently as 2003 • Monitor variety of habitats, including rivers, streams, lakes, ponds, wells, wetlands, & estuaries www.usawaterquality.org/volunteer

  8. Current Extension Programs – Nearby or Represented at this conference • Kentucky Water Watch • Alabama Water Watch • North Carolina Watershed Watch • University of Rhode Island Watershed Watch • Ohio E. Coli monitoring in streams • Wisconsin’s Water Action Volunteers www.usawaterquality.org/volunteer

  9. Current Extension Programs – NH Lakes Lay Monitoring Program • Volunteers conducted fish surveys (weight, length, condition, and scales) • Data analyzed by post-doctoral student • Results utilized by state agency and local groups • Bow Lake yellow perch population problem • Lakes Association initiated fishing derby and worked with other tournament groups to reduce populations www.usawaterquality.org/volunteer

  10. Current Extension Programs – URI Watershed Watch • Volunteers collect water samples and deliver to URI laboratory • Samples analyzed in laboratory and results shared with Lakes Associations and State • Data used by state agencies for reporting and locally to address environmental concerns www.usawaterquality.org/volunteer

  11. Extension Supports Volunteer Monitoring • Staff assistance with training • Program advice/consultation • Educational materials • Facilities • Lead role (sponsor) • Nationally

  12. CSREES* National Water Quality Program Applying knowledge to improve water quality • 10 regional programs • Extension Education projects • Integrated Research, education and Extension projects • National Facilitation projects …all competitively funded *Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service

  13. USDA CSREES Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring National Facilitation Project Goal: Increase number, capacity, viability, vitality, and connectivity of all Extension-based volunteer monitoring programs & support development of new groups • Identify, learn about, and connect existing Extension programs • Develop & use internet and web-based tools • Develop, distribute, and share educational and training materials • Offer training sessions

  14. Educational and Training Materials • “Guide for Growing” Extension Programs • Based on case studies of model programs • Modular format to ensure timeliness • Available in hardcopy and electronic formats • Why volunteer water quality monitoring makes sense * • Designing your monitoring strategy * • Effective training techniques* • Quality assurance issues • Volunteer management and support tools • Outreach tools • Finding support and funding for local efforts • Successful approaches to local data sharing and networking * www.usawaterquality.org/volunteer

  15. Training Programs and Assistance • Based on “Guide for Growing” • Conduct training sessions offered through CSREES regional conferences and other venues • Work with states to help coordinate programs/Offer advice www.usawaterquality.org/volunteer

  16. Identify & Connect Programs and Develop Web-based Tools • Electronic list serve for communication and connections • Interactive web-site www.usawaterquality.org/volunteer/

  17. Link back to the USDA CSREES National Water Quality Program web site

  18. Who, What, Why H-m-m-m, looks interesting…

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

  20. Select Inquiry Results – Outreach Tools www.usawaterquality.org/volunteer

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

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

  23. All outreach materials to date, Including fact sheets, posters, and ppt presentations

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

  25. Annotated Bibliography: • Studies comparing volunteer monitoring efforts to those professional • Pertinent Volunteer Monitor articles

  26. Guide for Growing Programs: • .pdf files of Guide modules • Wide range of topics: • Designing your monitoring strategy • Volunteer management • Why Makes Sense • Links to online Methods • Matrix of activities

  27. Highlighted Extension Monitoring Programs • Rotated regularly (archive maintained) • Emphasizes program outcomes and accomplishments • Learn more about successful programs

  28. Volunteer Monitoring-related job postings

  29. Special Topics and Projects • E. Coli monitoring – comparison of test kits • World Water Monitoring Day

  30. By linking with Extension, volunteer water quality monitoring programs bring university science to the community and community realities to the university Thank you!

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