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Volunteer Water Monitoring
(updated
03.04.10) |
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Hoosier Riverwatch Workshops |
Hoosier Riverwatch is a state
sponsored water quality monitoring initiative. The program was
started to increase public awareness of water quality issues and
concerns by training volunteers to monitor stream and lake water
quality. If you are interested in surface water quality - and
learning how to assess your watershed by looking at physical, chemical,
and biological parameters - Hoosier Riverwatch Workshops are for you!
You learn how to look at a section of a local river, stream, or lake and
evaluate the value of the site for wildlife habitat and water quality.
You also learn how to complete eight chemical tests and look at the
macro-invertebrates that live on the bottom of the water.
These are hands-on training workshops. Participants will literally
"wade" into their work - you will get wet. The workshops
are normally FREE, but pre-registration is usually
required. |
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2010 Workshops
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Advanced E.coli Workshops
This workshop is for people who have already attended the
Basic Riverwatch training but would like more information on E.coli. |
Refresher Training
This workshop is for Certified Riverwatch Volunteers who have
already attended a Basic Training workshop and would like to refresh
their knowledge of Riverwatch concepts and topics. The Refresher
Training is broken into three sections and is a combination of
presentations consisting of background information, as well as hands-on
practice. Participants may sign up for one, two, or all three of
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Healthy Water Healthy People Workshop
This workshop focuses on raising awareness and understanding
about water quality and its relationship to personal, public, and
environmental health. This workshop will help middle and high
school educators understand the science behind water monitoring and will
include interactive activities that interpret water quality concepts and
promote divers learning styles with foundations in the scientific
method. Participants will receive both the Educators Guide and
Field Monitoring Manual. |
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Basic 1-day Workshops
Introduces citizens and educators to water quality monitoring utilizing
hands-on habitat, chemical, and biological assessment methods.
Participants gain experience and skills in the use of chemical
monitoring kits and aquatic insect collection and identification.
The sessions are held both inside and outdoors. After completion
of this training, participants become "Certified Volunteer Monitors" and
are qualified to submit data to the statewide volunteer stream
monitoring database. Any interested adult is welcome to attend,
and once certified, may teach students how to monitor.
Teachers and Educators: Hoosier Riverwatch topics and
activities are correlated to Indiana's Academic Standards for Science
and you may also receive CRUs for attending a workshop!
Monitoring Equipment Packages: After attending the
training, individuals that work for schools, non-profits, and government
agencies are eligible to apply for a Monitoring Equipment Package,
valued at over $400 worth of testing supplies and materials!
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The workshops are free but you must contact the local host in advance to
register. Click here
for an updated schedule.
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Since 1997, Wood-Land-Lakes has been working with local volunteers in the St. Joseph River
watershed (Lake Michigan & Lake Erie watersheds). Hoosier Riverwatch
provides education and testing supplies for test kits.
Our Volunteer Water Monitoring brochure gives more detail on the
various tests (click to request a copy).
View test results. |
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NEW TESTING KITS
Hoosier Riverwatch began teaching and providing new, easier to use water
monitoring kits. The new kit is faster, easier and will streamline the
water testing program. Although the new methods are not as precise as the
old kits, the data it provides will satisfy most data uses. This change does not mean that you have to quit using the Hach
kit, or any other method you've been using. The new kit has fewer steps, provides
very little opportunity for error, has very little waste for disposal and
still provides accurate results.
The Basic Volunteer Stream Monitoring Training
for the new kit is a one day class offered by Hoosier Riverwatch. So,
how can you get this new equipment and training? Hoosier Riverwatch has
a "trade-in" option on its Equipment Application. You can download the
application and other information
from their website. Check our calendar for
upcoming training opportunities.
FREE REFILLS ON HOOSIER RIVERWATCH CHEMISTRY SUPPLIES
If you have water testing supplies from Hoosier Riverwatch, you
are eligible to receive refills and updated chemicals if you submit data
at least 4 times per year. To request test strips or CHEMetrics
supplies, complete the online request form or contact
Diane Day, Riverwatch Assistant at
dday@dnr.in.gov or 317.541.0617. |
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| Volunteers are always needed and welcome. Please
contact us if you are
interested in volunteering. |
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