2012 Introductory Level Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring

The Stream Team's Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring (VWQM) Program is a cooperative program between the Missouri Departments of Natural Resources and Conservation, and the Conservation Federation of Missouri, to involve citizens in water quality monitoring. The objectives of the Program are to inform and educate people about the condition of Missouri's aquatic resources and how watershed activities influence that condition, establish an extensive water quality monitoring network, and provide a knowledge base that citizens can draw upon to be advocates for improved water quality of our streams. As interest and expertise increase, volunteers can receive advanced training to learn more about streams and become more proficient in monitoring.

The workshops are free and consist of six (6) hours of classroom instruction on the following topics:

• Holistic approach to watersheds
• How to conduct stream discharge using a mutually buoyant object, a tape measure, and a stop watch
• How to map a watershed; volunteers get a chance for hands-on mapping and receive instructions on how to map the watershed of their adopted stream
• How to collect and identify invertebrates and to derive a water quality rating from the invertebrate collection.
• How to choose a good site to monitor, and let Program Staff know where you are monitoring
• How to be safe on the creek
• How to fill out data reports

There will also be one-to-two hours on a stream to demonstrate sampling methods, get wet, and learn about aquatic life, if weather conditions allow. Remember to bring boots or shoes that can get wet.

The level of material presented is not designed for children; however, older youth accompanied by an adult are welcome. If you have already taken the Introductory VWQM Workshop in the past but would like to refresh yourself with water quality monitoring procedures, please feel free to register and attend. However, please understand, first priority will be given to those individuals attending an Introductory workshop for the first time.

The only requirements for attending a workshop are that you have an interest in water quality, are willing to donate your time to attend the entire workshop and monitor a stream.

Workshop attendees will qualify to receive monitoring equipment that includes a kick net, vials, invertebrate photographs, forceps and magnifiers. The workshop is taught in one day.

Workshop Locations, Date & Time of Workshops

Wildwood - St. Louis:
Babler State Park
800 Guy Park Drive
Friday, March 16 or Saturday, March 17
8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Register by Wednesday, February 29

Columbia:
Boone Electric Cooperative
1413 Rangeline St.
Saturday, March 24
8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Register by Wednesday, March 7

Ozark:
Community Center
1530 W. Jackson St. (between Ozark and Empire banks)
Thursday, March 29
8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Register by Wednesday, March 14

Springfield:
Springfield Nature Center
4601 S. Nature Center Way
Saturday, March 31
8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Register by Wednesday, March 14

St. Joseph:
Missouri American Water Co.
Beck Rd, #B
Saturday, April 14
8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Register by Wednesday, March 28

Sedalia:
MDC Discovery Room
State Fairgrounds Building
Saturday, April 21
8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Register by Wednesday, April 4

West Plains:
MDC Ozark Regional Office
551 Joe Jones Blvd.
Saturday, April 28
8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Register by Wednesday, April 11

Salem: (Two-day anglers' workshop)
Montauk State Park
345 County Road 6670
Friday, April 27 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Saturday, April 28 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Register by Wednesday, April 11

Blue Springs:
Burr Oak Woods Nature Center
1401 N.W. Park Rd.
Saturday, May 19
8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Register by Wednesday, May 9

Note: Chemical monitoring is not taught until the Level 1 class. You must have attended the Introductory Level class and submitted site selection, stream discharge, and biological data before you are eligible to attend a Level 1 class. Level 1 classes are offered in the late summer and fall of each year.

Class size will be limited to 30 people per workshop and is filled on a first-come, first-served basis. To register, fill out the form sent to you in the mail, OR for on-line registration, log onto the Stream Team Webpage. If you are unable to fill out online form, please send email to StreamTeam(at)dnr.mo.gov with the following information:

Introductory Workshop Registration as the Subject Line

Date and Location of Workshop
Name
Address
Telephone Number
Email
Stream you are interested in Monitoring, and
County of Stream

You will be sent a confirmation letter and a map with directions to the workshop location approximately one week prior to the workshop. If you have already attended a Water Quality Workshop and know of others who may be interested, please pass this information along.