NORTH WEBSTER – Clean, abundant water is a valuable resource for all Hoosiers. Whether as a source for drinking water, water for business and industry or for recreation, it is irreplaceable. And again this year, a number of Hoosiers will become trained to help monitor this precious resource.
Hoosier Riverwatch, a Department of Natural Resources education program, will host a series of workshops around the state to train people to monitor local streams and rivers.
The next local volunteer stream monitoring workshop will be held at the North Webster Community Center July 15, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30pm.
It is being sponsored by the Tippecanoe Watershed Foundation, with assistance from the Kosciusko County Soil and Water Conservation District.
The training is for anyone interested in learning about water quality and gaining hands-on experience in monitoring rivers and streams. People interested in the environment, especially educators, are encouraged to attend.
The workshop will provide general education in water quality issues and hands-on training in monitoring the health of rivers and streams through physical, chemical, and biological testing. The training is free, but class size is limited. Persons interested in participating must make a prior reservation by contacting TWF at 574-834-3242 or twf-wendi@kconline.com
After completion of the training, volunteers can perform stream testing for a wide variety of possible pollutants. They then submit their data to a statewide volunteer monitoring database that makes the information available to anyone.
Hoosier Riverwatch, sponsored by the DNR, through its division of fish and wildlife, is a statewide education program that focuses on local rivers and streams stewardship.
The Riverwatch monitoring program fits easily into elementary, middle and high school classes, including biology, chemistry, math, language arts, and social studies. The program has been correlated to Indiana state standards for science at both the middle school and high school levels.
People interested in learning more about the Hoosier Riverwatch program can visit www.riverwatch.in.gov
