Post on 06-Aug-2015
The Consortium for Scientific Assistance to Watersheds (C-SAW)
Melissa RecknerKiski-Conemaugh Stream Team Director
June 26, 2015
What is C-SAW?• A team of specialists who provide
FREE organizational and scientific technical assistance to PA-based watershed and conservation organizations
• The goals are to help groups increase their knowledge, skills and capacity for:o Assessing watershed health
o Identifying solutions
o Developing monitoring programs and
restoration projects
o Empowering volunteers to lead their
programs into the future
• Funded by a PA Growing Greener grant administered by the Poconos NE RC&D Council
Who’s Eligible?
• The same groups that are eligible to apply for Growing
Greener grants!
• Must be based in PA
• Project must address watershed degradation / pollution /
education
Types of Assistance (1)
• Watershed-specific o Monitoring plan – program development and management
o Monitoring equipment selection
o Monitoring methods: water quality, stream flow, habitat, lake, stormwater
o Macroinvertebrate collection and ID
o Invasive species ID and management
o Data management, analysis, interpretation, and communication strategies
o GIS support
o Strategic planning / organizational development
o Volunteer recruitment and retention
Types of Assistance (2)
• Mentoringo Intensive, long-term (2-5 years)
o For new and established groups
Types of Assistance (3)
• Quality Controlo Blind sample analysis for water quality (USGS)
o Split sample analysis for water quality (ALLARM)
o Macroinvertebrate identification (CVC and SWRC)
Examples of Assistance - ALLARM
Volunteer water quality monitoring trainingVolunteer recruitment/ retention strategiesStudy designEquipment selectionData analysisData managementSplit water quality analysisAdvise on watershed report generationStrategic planning assistanceEnhancing organizational structureFostering partnerships
More Examples of Assistance
• Arrowhead Chapter of Trout Unlimited
• Blackleggs Creek Watershed Association
• Chartiers Creek and Buffalo Creek Watershed
Associations
• Potter County Conservation District
• Scottsdale Elementary School
From April – December
2014:
47 organizations
45 Trainings/Workshops
406 Consultations
1,872 individuals
Complete an application
Submit to C-SAW Partner prior to project
Partner will submit for DEP approval
Request will be approved or denied
How to apply?
Volunteer Recruitment
• Identify goals and needs
• Develop volunteer job descriptions
• Advertise need
• Have a sign-up form at all events
• Connect with local schools, other organizations – Partner
up
• Share existing volunteers’ stories
• Ask volunteers to help recruit
Volunteer Recruitment Pieces
• PowerPoint
• Job Descriptions
• Facebook page
• Website
• Brochure / fact sheet
• Press releases
• Media contact database
• Marketing plan
Volunteer Retention
• Train volunteers; provide written manual
• Work with them until they’re comfortable on their own
• Encourage working in pairs
• Streamline communications – 1 POC
• Stay in touch! Communicate regularly
• Show appreciationo Volunteer award(s)
o Presidential Service Awards.gov
o Listed in annual report
o Gifts
o Annual Appreciation Picnic
o Thank yous
o Christmas cards
Volunteer Retention
Don’t focus on numbers.
It is more meaningful and efficient to have fewer,
but more engaged volunteers.
Members are different from volunteers.
Kiski-Conemaugh Stream Team
• ~ 30 volunteers sampling 200+ AMD sites
• Most sites are sampled quarterly
• Two week time frame scheduled 13 weeks aparto January, April, July, October
• Avoid sampling on Thursday eve, Friday, Saturday
• Thanks to grants over time, everyone has their own
equipment.
Final Thoughts
C-SAW does not conduct watershed monitoring or
assessments, but rather helps watershed groups
do a better job with their own monitoring and
assessments.
It is a resource.