Learn About Local Waters And Become A Citizen Scientist
By EILEEN OAKS
The Watershed Foundation Marketing and Outreach Specialist
NORTH WEBSTER — Clean, abundant water is a valuable resource. Hoosier Riverwatch, a Department of Environmental Management education program, hosts workshops around the state to train people to monitor local streams, rivers and lakes.
The next volunteer stream monitoring workshop is at the North Webster Community Center Thursday, June 30. The training is presented by the Kosciusko County Soil and Water Conservation District and The Watershed Foundation. A reservation is required to attend and the event is completely free of charge.
“By learning the basics of stream monitoring, participants can launch a lifelong passion that not only benefits the environment, but also can be personally fulfilling,” said Lyn Crighton, TWF Executive Director. “If we’re to protect this crucial natural resource into the future, we need to foster an understanding and appreciation for conservation that will sustain us for generations to come.”
The workshop will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Thursday June 30. The workshop will provide general education in water-quality issues and hands-on training in monitoring the health of rivers and streams through physical, chemical and biological testing.
After the training, volunteers can perform stream testing for a wide variety of possible pollutants. They then submit their data to a statewide volunteer monitoring data base that makes the information available to anyone.
“The training is for anyone interested in learning about water quality and gaining hands-on experience in monitoring rivers and streams,” said Carol Newhouse, Hoosier Riverwatch coordinator. “People interested in the environment, especially educators, are invited to attend.”
Hoosier Riverwatch, sponsored by the Indiana Department of Environmental Management, is a statewide education program that focuses on local river and stream stewardship. To date, more than 5,000 people have participated.
Check out www.HoosierRiverwatch.com to find water-quality data collected by program graduates and to discover where monitoring has taken place.
For reservations, specific location and directions, contact Betsy at The Watershed Foundation at [email protected] or (574) 834-3242. To learn more about Riverwatch, visit http://www.in.gov/idem/riverwatch/.