What to Think About Before Going on the Water

Transcription

1 What to Think About Before Going on the Water EPA Region II Citizen Science Workshops June 19-20, 2012 Linda Green USDA-NIFA Extension Volunteer Monitoring Network (EVMN) & University of RI Watershed Watch

2 Successful Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring Programs are... Well-organized Sound scientific basis Respectful of their volunteers Strong organizational support Report & use results Make a difference

3 Raise awareness Involve people in real science Promote individual actions Create an informed constituency Successful Programs Make A Difference Provide information on places where no one else is looking Identify & solve problems locally

4 Program Objectives EVMN survey of VM programs Create long term data set Community involvement Public education Lack of monitoring data ID pollution problems Consistency in methods Youth / EE program Current Objectives (n=96) Initial Objectives (n=91) percent of programs ~90% of responding programs indicated multiple program objectives.

5 Resources for Designing Programs

6 Start small, start simple, seek out help, ask a lot of questions

7 Program Planning: The Framework for Monitoring Assess the need Develop objectives Design your program Collect the data Compile and manage data Assess and interpret data Convey results and findings Evaluate your program National Water Quality Monitoring Council A Framework for Monitoring

8 Guide for Growing Factsheets Designing Your VM Strategy: Questions & Resources Training Volunteer Water Quality Monitors Effectively Building Credibility: QA & QC for VM Volunteer Management and Support Considerations for Planning Data Mgt Systems Tips & Tools for Better Presentations Fundraising for Volunteer Monitoring Tools for Effective Outreach Volunteer Monitoring of Bacteria in Surface Waters Bacteria Monitoring in Surface Waters Methods Presenting Bacteria Data Effectively Evaluating Your VM Program

9 Project/Program/Study Design What, When, Who and How, Why It describes the rationale for, and specific approaches of your monitoring efforts. Should flow out of the vision, goals and objectives Should objectively reflect resources Good design is critical for success!

10 Getting Started Compile Information About the resource About the goals of the organization/community About current & past monitoring & research efforts About volunteer monitoring

11 Form a Technical Steering Committee Technical expertise Sounding board Experience Connections Agency buy-in

12 Assessing What is Possible Consider Skills and knowledge Potential data uses and users Level of commitment Financial resources

13 The Continuum of Volunteer Monitoring Programs Education/ Awareness Problem ID, Assess Impairment, Local Decisions Legal & Regulatory Increasing Time - Rigor - QA - Expense $$ Originated by G. Dates, River Network Modified by L. Green

14 Education/ Awareness Problem ID, Assess Impairment, Local Decisions Legal & Regulatory Increasing Time - Rigor - QA - Expense $$ Originated by G. Dates, River Network Modified by L. Green

15 Goals and Objectives Goal where do you want to go? We want to be able to swim in Deep Pond Objectives Specific & measurable To be able to see the bottom from my dock To reduce # of algal blooms in Deep Pond Reduce phosphorus concentrations in runoff by 35% Revise as needed to reflect successes, changes in priorities, program expansion/contraction

16 Useful Sources to Locate Methods EPA Guidance Manuals The Volunteer Monitor newsletter Other programs - Listservs Conferences - workshops Test kit catalogs Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater NEMI (

17 Program Management Considerations All volunteer, paid staff or combo - Dedicated staff is critical to success Home organization School-University-College Agency County Extension Environmental or Sporting Organization Non Governmental Organization

18 Recruiting Volunteers Social media, TV, radio Word of mouth Articles in newspapers/newsletters Community organizations Schools/Youth groups Nearby residents Sporting/environ. orgs. Fairs, festivals, comm. events

19 Make training a process that flows throughout your program, it is essential for program success essential for volunteer success

20 Program Support-Local, County, State Cooperative Extension University & High School Departments State Natural Resources Departments Tribal, County or Municipal Departments Soil and Water Conservation Districts Non-profit Organizations Interest Groups Other volunteer monitoring programs Watershed Organizations

21 Program Support-Nationwide EPA ( What Volunteer Monitoring Is Volunteer Monitoring Methods National Directory of Volunteer Monitoring Programs Volunteer Monitor Newsletter archives QAPP Guidance NWQMC biennial conferences USGS, NOAA

22 Program Support-Nationwide USDA-NIFA Extension Volunteer Monitoring Network Guide for Growing Programs Current research with / about volunteers Extension program contact information Topical listserv archive

23 Volunteer Monitoring Listservs Exchanges archived at

24 Volunteer Monitoring: Cost Effective Not Cost Free Staff (incredibly hard-working, underpaid) Field and lab equipment and supplies Laboratory space or analytical services Communication- web, cell, mail Office expenses, publications Conferences / workshops Transportation (personnel or samples) Insurance Special events / volunteer recognition

25 Summary Start by addressing the tough questions Determine objectives Develop a written plan Communicate coordinate - collaborate Use varied learning techniques Seek varied sources of funding Use all available resources Applaud your volunteers (and yourself)!

26 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