Volunteering with StreamWatch
Watch this video to learn more about our volunteer program
Credit: Neil Means, StreamWatch Volunteer
StreamWatch is fortunate to have a strong team of dedicated volunteers to help monitor and assess the health of the Rivanna watershed streams. Collectively, our volunteers donate more than 1200 hours of their time each year! These citizen scientists have been instrumental in StreamWatch’s water quality monitoring since 2003.
Many of our volunteers monitor benthic macroinvertebrates, the bugs found on the bottom of streams. Volunteers also help with bacteria monitoring, habitat surveys, other stream projects, office work, outreach, and more. Scroll down to learn more!
Get Involved in our Volunteer Program
Volunteer Opportunities
Read all of our volunteer job descriptions, and choose how you’d like to get involved.
Join the Listserv
Stay informed about volunteer news, training updates, and volunteer opportunities by signing up for the StreamWatch volunteer listserv.
Introductory Training Workshops
The first step for most volunteers is to attend an Introductory Training Workshop.
Upcoming workshop(s):
FULL – Saturday, September 5th: 10 AM – 3 PM, Ivy Creek Natural Area
SPOTS STILL OPEN – Saturday, September 19th: 10 AM – 3 PM, Fluvanna County Library
To sign up or learn more about our volunteer program, please contact Anne.
Advanced Training Workshops
These workshops are open to volunteers who have already attended an Intro Workshop. Upcoming workshop(s) will be:
Saturday, August 29th 9:30 AM – Noon, Ivy Creek Natural Area
Wednesday, September 2nd, 5:30-7:30, Jefferson Madison Central Library
To sign up please contact Anne.
Bacteria & Turbidity Training Workshops
Coming January 2016.
StreamWatch Potlucks and Parties
Join us as we celebrate the end of each monitoring season with food and fun. Whether you are a regular volunteer or just getting started, this is a great way to connect with fellow volunteers and be part of the StreamWatch community. Check the Weekly Update and Listserv for details.
Spread the word
Become a fan of our Facebook page or follow us on Twitter, and invite your friends to do the same.
More Information
Benthic Macroinvertebrate Sampling Seasons
Spring: March 15 – May 15
Summer: June 15 – August 15
Fall: September 15 – November 15
Winter: December 15 – February 15
Virginia Save Our Streams (VASOS)
StreamWatch only works in the Rivanna watershed. VASOS is the organization that oversees water quality volunteer groups in the rest of the state. For more information, visit the VASOS Monitors’ Page.
Safety Tips for Field Work
Black-legged Tick (deer tick): scale is in centimeters
- Watch for ticks!
Lyme disease and other tick-borne diseases are becoming increasingly common in our area. Please educate yourself about prevention and early detection. For more information, visit the Lyme Disease Foundation and the CDC’s Learn about Lyme Disease
- Hunting Seasons
Before you plan your field work, please be aware of hunting seasons. For a list of seasons by game, visit the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries website
