| ©2004 Mid-Michigan Environmental Action Council P.O. Box 17164, Lansing, Michigan 48901-7164 (517) 214-5684 jessicayorko@sustainablesolutions.biz |
| Volunteer Stream Monitoring |
Reflections in the Red Cedar
River
River
Stream Monitoring Program Basics:
|
Mid-Michigan Environmental Action Council
Volunteer Stream Monitoring on the Red Cedar
Summary
The ultimate goal of this program is to create swimmable,
fishable streams and rivers in Mid-Michigan. Mid-MEAC’s
volunteer stream monitoring program is one strategy
within that goal, which fits into Mid-MEAC’s mission of
helping people transform environmental concerns into
action. Not only does the program allow us to collect data
which can then be used in the future for advocacy efforts
and river protection efforts, it also helps people connect
with, appreciate, and understand our local waterways.
Program Goals
How Mid-MEAC Uses the Data
Data results are communicated to the public, the MDEQ,
and the Greater Lansing Regional Committee for
Stormwater Management after each collection session.
The data is also entered into the MiCorps exchange
database, a statewide system for volunteer stream
monitoring data, and entered into charts and graphs that
illustrate the trends and findings. As problem areas are
identified within the watershed, Mid-MEAC will work with
community partners and land owners to develop solutions
to alleviate conditions that create negative impacts on
overall stream health.
Current Sites
Results to Date
Volunteer Stream Monitoring on the Red Cedar
Summary
The ultimate goal of this program is to create swimmable,
fishable streams and rivers in Mid-Michigan. Mid-MEAC’s
volunteer stream monitoring program is one strategy
within that goal, which fits into Mid-MEAC’s mission of
helping people transform environmental concerns into
action. Not only does the program allow us to collect data
which can then be used in the future for advocacy efforts
and river protection efforts, it also helps people connect
with, appreciate, and understand our local waterways.
Program Goals
- Improve water quality in the Red Cedar River
Watershed - Improve awareness of water quality issues facing
the Red Cedar Watershed - Increase level of community and individual
commitment to water quality stewardship
How Mid-MEAC Uses the Data
Data results are communicated to the public, the MDEQ,
and the Greater Lansing Regional Committee for
Stormwater Management after each collection session.
The data is also entered into the MiCorps exchange
database, a statewide system for volunteer stream
monitoring data, and entered into charts and graphs that
illustrate the trends and findings. As problem areas are
identified within the watershed, Mid-MEAC will work with
community partners and land owners to develop solutions
to alleviate conditions that create negative impacts on
overall stream health.
Current Sites
- Sycamore Creek at Biggie Munn Park in Lansing
- Kalamink Creek at Van Orden Road in Webberville
- Corwin Road Tributary at Grand River Avenue in
Williamston - West Branch of the Red Cedar River, below Kane
Road, in Stockbridge - Wolf Creek at Bell Oak Road in Webberville at Bell
Oak Road - Red Cedar River at Dobie Road, near Dobie and
Kinawa Roads
Results to Date
Objectives for July 2008 through 2010
Objectives Accomplished Under MiCorps Grant (July 06-July 08)
- Recruit and train at least 12 additional monitoring volunteers and identify up to 4
additional sites - Work with local partners to identify projects and public education programs to help
improve water quality - Inform Mid-Michigan citizens about issues at the various sites as they pertain to local
planning, land-use, or permitting decisions and encourage citizen groups to attend the
watershed management public meetings to provide their input and offer solutions to
problems
Objectives Accomplished Under MiCorps Grant (July 06-July 08)
Volunteer stream monitoring
training
training
Stream Monitoring on the
west branch of the Red Cedar
west branch of the Red Cedar
Stream monitoring on the
west branch of Red Cedar
west branch of Red Cedar
Searching for specimens
Bug Identification session
| Mid-MEAC is now looking for volunteers to help with stream sampling every fall and spring!! Please contact Jessica Yorko if you are interested in learning more. |
- Recruit, train, maintain, and coordinate a team of 30
volunteers to monitor 8 sites along the Red Cedar
Watershed two times per year - Coordinate annual fall and spring volunteer benthic
invertebrate sampling days and identification sessions;
and spring habitat assessments - Provide monitoring data to the MiCorps, MDEQ, Greater
Lansing Regional Committee on Stormwater
Management (GLRC), and the public
Training materials:
Team Structure Sheet (PDF) - shows the roles and functions of
each collection team member.
Macroinvertebrate Datasheet (PDF)- Page 1 of this sheet is filled
out at the stream; Page 2 is filled out on Identification Day.
Stream Habitat Definitions (WORD) - explains the terms on the
datasheet and on the Collection Techniques handout.
Collection Techniques (PDF) - explains procedures and
techniques to use on collection days.
Pictures of Bugs (PDF)- shows the types of critters you'll be
collecting.
| Why collect bugs? - Early indicators of localized conditions - Easy sampling techniques - Primary source of food for many fish - Generally abundant communities - Diversity = Healthy Stream - Threats to bug diversity: sedimentation, habitat loss, and chemical pollution. |
| Illustration of a Watershed What is a watershed? A watershed is any area of land that drains to a common point. It can also be defined as the area of land that catches rain and snow and drains into a marsh, stream, river, lake or groundwater. Watersheds in the Greater Lansing Region |
Mid-MEAC Thanks New Sponsors!
The Mid-Michigan Environmental Action Council thanks
the Lansing Board of Water and Light and the Greater
Lansing Regional Committee for Stormwater
Management for sponsoring our Volunteer Stream
Monitoring Program. Support from the BWL and GLRC
allows us to continue and expand our stream program.
Thank You!!
Get Involved!
To become part of Mid-MEAC's Volunteer Stream
Monitoring Program, contact Chip Kosloski at
517-507-1303.
The Mid-Michigan Environmental Action Council thanks
the Lansing Board of Water and Light and the Greater
Lansing Regional Committee for Stormwater
Management for sponsoring our Volunteer Stream
Monitoring Program. Support from the BWL and GLRC
allows us to continue and expand our stream program.
Thank You!!
Get Involved!
To become part of Mid-MEAC's Volunteer Stream
Monitoring Program, contact Chip Kosloski at
517-507-1303.
Map of Current Stream Mid-MEAC Volunteer Stream Monitoring Sites - Red Cedar Watershed
Founding Sponsors MiCorps Program Friends of the Looking Glass River |
