Laying the Ground Work

Successful Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring Programs are…. Well organized Well organized Sound scientific basis Sound scientific basis Strong institutional support Strong institutional support Report results Report results Make a difference Make a difference (Green & Herron)

Well Organized Clear purpose Clear purpose Develop strong partnerships Develop strong partnerships Steering committee Steering committee Good relations with decision makers Good relations with decision makers Strong leadership and coordination Strong leadership and coordination Clear staff, board and volunteer roles Clear staff, board and volunteer roles

A Sound Scientific Basis means Clear monitoring goals and questions Clear monitoring goals and questions Written study design Written study design Clear documentation of instructions for all monitoring activities Clear documentation of instructions for all monitoring activities Monitoring scope and complexity appropriate to group’s capabilities Monitoring scope and complexity appropriate to group’s capabilities QA appropriate to data use QA appropriate to data use

Successful Programs Report and Use Their Results Data are turned into a story Data are turned into a story Results and the story are reviewed by data users and resource people Results and the story are reviewed by data users and resource people Results are reported in various ways tailored to the audience Results are reported in various ways tailored to the audience Information is turned into action Information is turned into action Monitoring is used to assess progress Monitoring is used to assess progress

Main Uses of Volunteer Data Water Quality or Watershed Education Water Quality or Watershed Education Document Existing Conditions Document Existing Conditions Problem Identification Problem Identification Local Decisions 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? What is the ecological health of Long Harbour? Is Paradise Lake safe for my kids to swim in? Is Paradise Lake safe for my kids to swim in? Will Sparkling Stream support Brook trout? Will Sparkling Stream support Brook trout? Is {…insert name of potential polluter…} adversely impacting WQ in Sawmill Creek? Is {…insert name of potential polluter…} adversely impacting WQ in Sawmill Creek?

Is Paradise Lake safe for my kids to swim in? Analyze results Parameters E. coli Sample Locations Adjacent to beach x 4 Frequency Weekly Duration June to September Standards CCME

Is Paradise Lake safe for my kids to swim in? Analyze results Parameters E. coli Sample Locations Adjacent to beach x 4 Frequency Weekly Duration June to September Standards CCME Safe to Swim Yes or No

Who is the Target Audience?

Members of the general public Members of the general public Local landowners Local landowners NS Dept. of Environment NS Dept. of Environment School children School children Municipal councilors Municipal councilors

Summarize your data to tell your story Tailor to your audience Tailor to your audience Time Time Level of detail Level of detail Visuals Visuals “Sound bites” “Sound bites”

How Will Results be Conveyed?

Newspaper article Newspaper article Oral presentation Oral presentation Flyer Flyer Full-length scientific report Full-length scientific report Web site Web site Poster Poster

Summary Data should tell a story Data should tell a story Tailor your presentation to your audience(s) Tailor your presentation to your audience(s) Use multiple formats to help get your message to all types of learners Use multiple formats to help get your message to all types of learners Use images to help explain complex information 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 TACTAC

Develop Research Question Develop Sampling Plan Sampling Data Analysis Reporting / Communicating Results TACTAC

Develop Research Question Develop Sampling Plan Sampling Data Analysis Reporting / Communicating Results TACTAC

Develop Research Question Develop Sampling Plan Sampling Data Analysis Reporting / Communicating Results TACTAC

Develop Research Question Develop Sampling Plan Sampling Data Analysis Reporting / Communicating Results TACTAC