SOUTH BRANCH WATERSHED ASSOCIATION Event Highlights

2003 Volunteer Biological Monitoring Workshop
See also: Event Photos | Training Experts

The 2003 Volunteer Biological Monitoring Workshop was a great success! Over 40 volunteers from throughout the watershed gathered on Saturday, May 31st, at the SBWA office despite the forecast for rainy weather.

Volunteers were put into 3 groups and rotated through 3 stations: Small Stream, Large Stream, and Macroinvertebrate Identification. At the small stream and large stream stations, volunteers were taught proper sampling procedures following an EPA-approved protocol for benthic macroinvertebrate sampling. At the macroinvertebrate identification station, volunteers fine-tuned their skills at identifying key macroinvertebrate families. These volunteers are now trained to go and collect biological samples at pre-determined sites throughout the watershed.

Volunteers collected samples during the last 2 weeks in June. The samples have been sent to a laboratory to be analyzed down to the species level. Results of the monitoring will be presented at a conference to be held on Tuesday, November 18th, 2003, beginning at 7:00 pm at Echo Hill Lodge.

A big THANK YOU goes out to all of our Volunteer Training Experts:

Dennis Concannon Christine Danis Connie Deetz

Tim Dunne Nancy Lawler Bill Rawlyk

Our workshop would not have been a success without the dedication of these people.

The following are photographs show the volunteers in training and collecting samples in the field.
Select the thumbnail print to see the enlarged photo ...