If you decide to become a stream monitor, you join a special
group of residents who collect valuable information about
our local streams. Working with natural resource agencies,
volunteer monitors play a key role in stream protection
and stream stewardship. Monitoring is also a great way to
get to know your special stream.
Our
program utilizes the Virginia Save Our Streams (
VA SOS) method of assessing the water quality in a stream.
The Izaak Walton League of America developed the SOS method,
and it was modified in a study at Virginia Tech (for more
information about the study, read the article on page 6 of
the Volunteer
Monitor Newsletter). Based on the type and diversity
of aquatic insects found in the stream, you will be able to
assess the ecological conditions of the streams. This is known
as biological
monitoring and is recognized nationally as a reliable
indicator of water quality. Our program also includes chemical
monitoring, measuring turbidity and nitrate/nitrite.
To
become a monitor, you can get a taste of the program by
attending an introductory workshop or monitoring
with certified monitors. There are several types of workshops
offered. Indoor workshops allow new and experienced
monitors to gain more practice with macroinvertebrate identification.
Outdoor workshops provide training about the field
protocols and field identification. Monitoring with certified
monitors is an excellent way to learn about monitoring.
The
only way to learn is by practicing and making mistakes. It
is impossible to learn the bugs without investing some time
into the adventure. Once you feel ready, you can become a
certified monitor. Certification is composed of both
an open-notes identification test and an outdoor demonstration
of sampling.
Equipment
is shared according to watershed. The kits are maintained
and coordinated by monitors who are equipment managers. They
contain everything that is needed to conduct both biological
and chemical monitoring. You will need your own waders or
boots.
Our
overall volunteer monitoring program is governed by
a Quality Assurance Project Plan. By following this
plan, we can assure anyone who uses the data that it is
accurate, consistent, reliable, and comparable.
Sites
are monitored four times a year, once each season.
