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Introducing River People!
Klamath Riverkeeper’s new Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring Program
Powerful things happen when people have the opportunity to scientifically monitor their own watershed. Research partners increase their data gathering capacity while citizen volunteers gain new skills. People make important connections to their watershed, other organizations, and each other. Volunteer monitoring builds community by fostering networks based on the place we live.
Klamath Riverkeeper believes science can and should belong to the people who live here. For this reason we’re kicking off our own volunteer water quality monitoring program in 2009. The goals and timeline for our program are below. If you want to get involved as a volunteer, or if you’re a science professional with an interest in helping us craft our research questions, please contact Malena Marvin at 541.821.7260 or malena at klamathriver.org. You can support this important program by donating to Klamath Riverkeeper.
River People goals:
1. To conduct meaningful water quality science in the Klamath River basin.
2. To involve local residents in scientific monitoring and in recognizing the value of water quality.
3. To increase participation and membership with Klamath Riverkeeper.
River People timeline:
2008 – Network with other organizations, apply for funding, write monitoring quality assurance plan
2009 – Recruit volunteers and begin monitoring in the upper Klamath basin
2010 – Expand program to California locations
River People partners & network:
Oregon Department of Environmental Quality Volunteer Monitoring Program
Klamath Watershed Institute Water Quality Monitoring Group
Klamath Watershed Partnership
Cal EPA State Water Quality Control Board SWAMP program