Volunteer Monitoring - Empowering Citizens

Pete Schade, Volunteer Water Monitoring Coordinator, Montana Watercourse

Recent public concern and involvement in water quality and watershed health issues has prompted the growth of numerous community watershed groups across Montana.  The Montana Volunteer Water Monitoring Project responds to requests for information and training in water quality monitoring. Operating under the umbrella of the Montana Watercourse, an established statewide organization with a ten year history of adult and youth water resource education, the Montana Volunteer Water Monitoring Project was created to foster and facilitate state-wide volunteer water monitoring activities.  It is the only state-wide monitoring network operating in Montana.

The Project works with local groups (Conservation Districts, community watershed groups, local and state agencies) to promote stewardship of water resources by local citizens through educational water quality workshops.  Targeting a diverse citizenry, the Project teaches water science to non-scientists (ranchers, teachers, landowners, students...) offering simple testing methods and equipment that provide volunteers with the skills and tools needed to obtain valuable information about their local surface waters.