Volunteer Lake & Stream Monitoring: Experience with the Michigan Clean Water Corps Programs

Two programs of the Michigan Clean Water Corps (MiCorps) serve the needs of volunteer-based lake and stream monitoring efforts by providing training, equipment, analytical services, quality assurance protocols, technical... [ view full abstract ]

Two programs of the Michigan Clean Water Corps (MiCorps) serve the needs of volunteer-based lake and stream monitoring efforts by providing training, equipment, analytical services, quality assurance protocols, technical backstopping, and a secure database. The Cooperative Lakes Monitoring Program emphasizes measures of trophic status and aquatic macrophyte surveys. The Volunteer Stream Monitoring Program focuses on benthic macro invertebrates and stream habitat characterization, and also provides limited competitive grant funds to support start-up initiatives. The recent experiences of two West Michigan watershed organizations illustrate several strengths of the MiCorps approach, but also help define limitations imposed by modest funding levels currently available from both State and local sources. A key feature of these two watershed organizations is their nearly complete reliance on volunteers, not only for manpower but for professional expertise as well. This presentation will underscore why mobilization of local scientific and managerial expertise deserves emphasis in efforts to encourage citizen science. Our experience shows that MiCorps programs can provide an appropriate mechanism.