volunteers and training

Volunteers

In 2006, volunteer monitors contributed over 600 hours, or more than $12,000 of in-kind labor, and have compiled approximately 161 Water Quality Data Sheets. The AWC Stream Team volunteers come from all sectors of society: bankers, students, environmental consultants, construction workers, retired seniors, small business owners, resource agency employees, university personnel, and home-makers. They are all residents who care about local water quality and are willing to protect it.

These dedicated individuals commit to a year of monitoring and frequently endure extreme Alaska weather and other discomforts. Mosquitoes, cold, heat, and wildlife are just a few of the elements they work around to collect water samples. For many this is an opportunity to give something back to the environment that they enjoy; for others it is a way to instill stewardship in their children; and some just like to play in the water.

Whatever the reason our volunteers come to us, we appreciate and know that without them the AWC Stream Team would not be as successful.

Training

The Stream Team program has five phases of training available to volunteers. Volunteer monitors must complete Phase I-III before becoming a certified monitor. Phase I introduces ideas and concepts while demonstrating the use of chemical water quality kits. Phase 2 familiarizes the monitor with kits and works on the understanding of principles and methods used. The final Phase for monitoring, Phase III, is practice in the field and proficiency by monitors in the use of the kits. Completing Phases I-III typically takes 12 hours.

After completing Phase I-III and monitoring for one year, volunteer monitors are required to participate in a recertification (Phase IV). This phase acts as a quality control check of monitors. Monitors test against known standards and review methods.

Phase V is a Train the Trainers course. In this phase, participants must demonstrate proficiency in testing methods, knowledge of watershed concepts, and familiarity with teaching methods. Upon completion of this phase, volunteers become certified trainers and are then able to train new monitors to work with the kits.