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The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is
actively recruiting citizen scientists to collect biological samples
from streams and rivers in the Genesee, Delaware, Hudson, and Mohawk
River watersheds as part of the Wadeable Assessments by Volunteer
Evaluators (WAVE) project to assess water quality.
WAVE data are used to augment the work of the DEC Stream
Biomonitoring Unit, which samples streams and rivers across the state to
create an inventory of stream water quality. Citizen Monitors will
provide valuable information to assist in identifying healthy stream
sites and flagging sites that potentially have water quality concerns.
These data are included in federal and state water quality reports and
help to target professional assessments and local restoration efforts
where they are most needed.
Trained citizen monitors will visit streams between July and
September to collect and identify insects and other small organisms
(macroinvertebrates) from the rocks and rubble on the stream bottom, and
preserve one example of each organism for identification by the WAVE
Coordinator. If six or more of the "Most Wanted" organisms are found,
the stream segment is assessed as having no known impacts and fully
supporting aquatic life. If mostly "Least Wanted" organisms are found,
then the stream segment will be flagged for possible investigation by
professionals.
Training sessions are scheduled for July and August at locations in
Livingston Manor, Sullivan County (July 15, August 7, August 21),
Bainbridge, Chenango County (July 16, August 20), Port Jervis, Orange
County (July 17, August 6), Angelica, Allegany County(July 29, August
13), Castile, Wyoming County (July 30, September 5), and Scottsville,
Monroe County (August 12, September 4). For more information or to register for a training session, visit the DEC website.
