laying the ground work. successful volunteer water quality monitoring programs are…. well...
TRANSCRIPT
Laying the Ground Work
Successful Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring Programs
are….Well organized
Sound scientific basis
Strong institutional support
Report results
Make a difference
(Green & Herron)
Well Organized
Clear purpose
Develop strong partnerships Steering committee
Good relations with decision makers
Strong leadership and coordination
Clear staff, board and volunteer roles
A Sound Scientific Basis means
Clear monitoring goals and questions
Written study design
Clear documentation of instructions for all monitoring activities
Monitoring scope and complexity appropriate to group’s capabilities
QA appropriate to data use
Successful Programs Report and Use Their Results
Data are turned into a story
Results and the story are reviewed by data users and resource people
Results are reported in various ways tailored to the audience
Information is turned into action
Monitoring is used to assess progress
Main Uses of Volunteer Data
Water Quality or Watershed Education
Document Existing Conditions
Problem Identification
Local Decisions
The Continuum of Monitoring Data Use
Education/ Awareness
Geoff Dates, River Network
The Continuum of Monitoring Data Use
Education/ Awareness
Problem ID, Assess Impairment, Local Decisions
Geoff Dates, River Network
The Continuum of Monitoring Data Use
Education/ Awareness
Problem ID, Assess Impairment, Local Decisions
Legal & Regulatory
Geoff Dates, River Network
The Continuum of Monitoring Data Use
Education/ Awareness
Problem ID, Assess Impairment, Local Decisions
Legal & Regulatory
Increasing Time – Rigor – QA/QC – Expense $$
Geoff Dates, River Network
What is the Question?
Possible Questions What is the ecological health of Long Harbour? Is Paradise Lake safe for my kids to swim in? Will Sparkling Stream support Brook trout? Is {…insert name of potential polluter…}
adversely impacting WQ in Sawmill Creek?
Is Paradise Lake safe for my kids to swim in?
Analyze
results
ParametersE. coli
Sample Locations
Adjacent to beach x 4
FrequencyWeekly
DurationJune to
September
StandardsCCME
Is Paradise Lake safe for my kids to swim in?
Analyze
results
ParametersE. coli
Sample Locations
Adjacent to beach x 4
FrequencyWeekly
DurationJune to
September
StandardsCCME
Safe to Swim
Yes or No
Who is the Target Audience?
Who is the Target Audience?
Members of the general public
Local landowners
NS Dept. of Environment
School children
Municipal councilors
Summarize your data to tell your story
Tailor to your audience
Tailor to your audience
Time
Level of detail
Visuals
“Sound bites”
How Will Results be Conveyed?
How Will Results be Conveyed?
Newspaper article
Oral presentation
Flyer
Full-length scientific report
Web site
Poster
Summary
Data should tell a story
Tailor your presentation to your audience(s)
Use multiple formats to help get your message to all types of learners
Use images to help explain complex information
Water Quality Monitoring Plan
Who?
What?
When?
Where?
Why?
How?
CURA H20, 2013a
Water Quality Monitoring Plan
1. Compile existing information on watershed
2. Describe purpose(s) of monitoring
3. Identify monitoring sites
4. Identify monitoring parameters and methods
5. Identify monitoring frequency and duration
6. Describe data use and management
7. QA/QC procedures and safety
QA/QC
Quality Assurance
- System to ensure credible results
- In writing
Quality Control
- Specific measures taken in data collection and analysis
CURA H20, 2013b
Wet-Pro, 2013
Technical Advisory Committee
Every watershed group should have one
Technical Advisory Committee
Possible membership:
- Government staff
- Scientists (employed/retired)
- Academics
- Other WQ Coordinators
Provide expert, impartial advice
Develop Research Question
Develop Sampling Plan
Sampling
Data Analysis
Reporting /
Communicating Results
Develop Research Question
Develop Sampling Plan
Sampling
Data Analysis
Reporting /
Communicating Results
T
A
C
Develop Research Question
Develop Sampling Plan
Sampling
Data Analysis
Reporting /
Communicating Results
T
A
C
Develop Research Question
Develop Sampling Plan
Sampling
Data Analysis
Reporting /
Communicating Results
T
A
C
Develop Research Question
Develop Sampling Plan
Sampling
Data Analysis
Reporting /
Communicating Results
T
A
C
Develop Research Question
Develop Sampling Plan
Sampling
Data Analysis
Reporting /
Communicating Results
T
A
C