Citizen Science Education Combined with Volunteer Soil and Water Testing for Enhanced Natural Resource Stewardship

Citizen Science Project Coordinators: Rhonda Janke, Dept. of Horticulture, Forestry, and Recreation Resources, Kansas State University Rebecca Moscou, Research Assistant, Dept. of Horticulture, Forestry, and Recreation Resources, Kansas State University G. Morgan Powell, Dept. of Biological and Agricultural Engineering, Kansas State University Ted T. Cable, Dept. of Horticulture, Forestry, and Recreation Resources Ted T. Cable, Dept. of Horticulture, Forestry, and Recreation Resources

Citizen Science Citizen Science The goals of on-farm soil and water testing are to: The goals of on-farm soil and water testing are to: 1. Help individuals know more about their farm or community, and to assist with management decisions. 2. Identify potential "hot spots" on the farm or community; areas that may be contributing sediment, fecal coliform (bacteria), nutrients or pesticides to drinking water, livestock water sources, or down-stream neighbors. 3. Help land owners, farmers and community members meet farm stewardship goals.

The key here is education: Learn the basics of soil and water cycling, how they are linked, sources of potential problems. Learn the basics of soil and water cycling, how they are linked, sources of potential problems. Learn how to perform soil and water tests, how to interpret the results. Learn how to perform soil and water tests, how to interpret the results. Learn more about an area of interest – farm pond, well, community lake, etc. Learn more about an area of interest – farm pond, well, community lake, etc. Learn what to do about a test that indicates a potential problem – how to find the source. Learn what to do about a test that indicates a potential problem – how to find the source. Learn about cost-share programs, best management practices, and structures that can remediate problems. Learn about cost-share programs, best management practices, and structures that can remediate problems.

Soil and water tests include: Soil pH Soil pH Soil nitrogen Soil nitrogen Soil phosphorus Soil phosphorus Soil potassium Soil potassium Humus/organic matter Humus/organic matter Texture Texture Infiltration rate/water stable aggregates Infiltration rate/water stable aggregates Water color, odor, temperature and pH Water color, odor, temperature and pH Nitrogen and phosphorus (soluble) Nitrogen and phosphorus (soluble) Turbidity/transparency Turbidity/transparency Triazines Triazines Coliform & E. coli bacteria Coliform & E. coli bacteria Stream biology/macro- invertebrates Stream biology/macro- invertebrates Stream site visual assessment Stream site visual assessment

In addition to kit instructions, fact sheets also include: Data sheets Data sheets Quick data interpretation guide Quick data interpretation guide Sampling methods/how to design a project Sampling methods/how to design a project Teaching guide (especially for home school and independent study students) Teaching guide (especially for home school and independent study students) More information on how and why to form a stream-team or other community based water monitoring team. More information on how and why to form a stream-team or other community based water monitoring team.

How it works: Initial contact – from publicity, referral from Watershed Specialist, other agent. Initial contact – from publicity, referral from Watershed Specialist, other agent. Phone visit, site visit, initial classroom presentation or farm instruction. Phone visit, site visit, initial classroom presentation or farm instruction. We provide kits for pilot projects, but also provide information on how to purchase additional kits. We aren’t in the “kit business.” We provide kits for pilot projects, but also provide information on how to purchase additional kits. We aren’t in the “kit business.” Follow-up visits as needed, help with interpretation (blue vs. pink dots), etc. Follow-up visits as needed, help with interpretation (blue vs. pink dots), etc. How they use the data is up to the client. How they use the data is up to the client.

Primary audience focus: Farmers/land owners Farmers/land owners High school FFA and Vo-ag groups High school FFA and Vo-ag groups Older youth in independent study, home school, 4-H or other group. Older youth in independent study, home school, 4-H or other group. Adult audiences in interested in environmental monitoring. Adult audiences in interested in environmental monitoring. Future focus on “train the trainer” activities with county agents, NRCS personnel, others who might interact with those in our primary audience groups and pass on the training to them. Future focus on “train the trainer” activities with county agents, NRCS personnel, others who might interact with those in our primary audience groups and pass on the training to them.

Some models include: Alabama Water Watch Alabama Water Watch IOWATER IOWATER Others……many new ones each year. Others……many new ones each year. One key difference is that we aren’t interested (at this point) in centralized data collection, or even supplementing KDHE, USGS or other data sets. This is data collected for use by the community group or land owner.

Previous work: Tested the test kits (from ) [see Rodriguez 2004 dissertation] Did lab work and pilot test on 6 farms. Tested the test kits (from ) [see Rodriguez 2004 dissertation] Did lab work and pilot test on 6 farms. Began pilot project with 6 schools in the Maris des Cygnes basin in 2004/2005 Began pilot project with 6 schools in the Maris des Cygnes basin in 2004/2005 Currently expanding number of schools (including Western KS), and working with 7+ land owners. Currently expanding number of schools (including Western KS), and working with 7+ land owners. Recent publication of fact sheets allows us to address the other youth group audience now. Recent publication of fact sheets allows us to address the other youth group audience now. Began the train-the-trainer work in collaboration with the Watershed Institute, Kaw Valley Heritage Alliance, KAWS, Melvern Lake Lake Water Quality Project, and Soil Conservation Commission - with 2-day workshops in 2005 & Began the train-the-trainer work in collaboration with the Watershed Institute, Kaw Valley Heritage Alliance, KAWS, Melvern Lake Lake Water Quality Project, and Soil Conservation Commission - with 2-day workshops in 2005 & 2006.

Current resources include: Brochure Brochure Series of 12 Water fact sheets and folder Series of 12 Water fact sheets and folder Soon-to-be published companion set of 12 soil fact sheets and folder. Soon-to-be published companion set of 12 soil fact sheets and folder. Educational poster. Educational poster. Website (in English and Spanish) Website (in English and Spanish)

Examples of the kits in use: Triazine data – Lower Arkansas River Basin/Newton area. Farmers collaborated with local student for data collection, report, etc…. Triazine data – Lower Arkansas River Basin/Newton area. Farmers collaborated with local student for data collection, report, etc…. E. coli data – Herschel George, pond fencing study E. coli data – Herschel George, pond fencing study School project data – diverse set of projects, often close to the schools. School project data – diverse set of projects, often close to the schools. Rannels Prairie demonstration - KSU study in collaboration with the GLWQP. Rannels Prairie demonstration - KSU study in collaboration with the GLWQP. Sampling in Uruguay and Paraguay, part of “Paraguay Partners” grant. Sampling in Uruguay and Paraguay, part of “Paraguay Partners” grant. Farmer data – case studies, confidential for the most part. Farmer data – case studies, confidential for the most part.

Farmstead Farmstead Map Showing E. Coli samples on tributaries. Old lots with newly seeded grass New cattle feeding area

Old feeding area: New feeding area:

Rannels Prairie – fenced ponds with tanks.

Hope to also use as a companion in “River Friendly Farm” program demonstration projects – before vs. after examples. Kansas River Friendly Farm Environmental Assessment Profitability, Stewardship, Quality of Life

Questions?