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Volunteer Monitoring In Massachusetts

Volunteer Monitoring In Massachusetts. By Geoff Dates Steve Dickens Michele Tremblay. River Network Report. I. Introduction and Executive Summary II. Volunteer Monitoring In Massachusetts Today III. Volunteer Monitoring In Massachusetts: A Vision for the Future.

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Volunteer Monitoring In Massachusetts

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  1. Volunteer Monitoring In Massachusetts By Geoff Dates Steve Dickens Michele Tremblay

  2. River Network Report I. Introduction and Executive Summary II. Volunteer Monitoring In Massachusetts Today III. Volunteer Monitoring In Massachusetts: A Vision for the Future

  3. Volunteer Monitoring In Massachusetts - the Pieces Volunteer Monitoring Groups Agency Programs Service Providers Funding Advisory Structure

  4. Study Methodology • research and interviews • production of report with recommendations • stakeholder involvement in program development

  5. Volunteer Monitoring In Massachusetts - the Pieces Volunteer Monitoring Groups Agency Programs Service Providers Funding Advisory Structure

  6. Volunteer Monitoring Assessment of Current Activities • Inventory • Self Evaluation • Needs Assessment

  7. Volunteer Monitoring Assessment of Current Activities • Inventory • Self Evaluation • Needs Assessment

  8. Volunteer Monitoring:Inventory • Staffing • 63% have no staff • 18.5% have 1 or fewer FTE • 18% have 1 or more FTE • Total # volunteer = 722 • Total # sites = 403 • Most have 3-5 years of experience

  9. Volunteer Monitoring:Inventory

  10. Volunteer Monitoring:Inventory

  11. Volunteer Monitoring:Inventory

  12. Volunteer Monitoring Assessment of Current Activities • Inventory • Self Evaluation • Needs Assessment

  13. Volunteer Monitoring:Evaluation

  14. Volunteer Monitoring Assessment of Current Activities • Inventory • Self Evaluation • Needs Assessment

  15. Volunteer MonitoringNeeds • getting the word out and getting their data used • customized monitoring programs wet weather and storm water designs • turning data into information and action • sustainable and diverse funding

  16. Volunteer Monitoring In Massachusetts - the Pieces Volunteer Monitoring Groups Agency Programs Service Providers Funding Advisory Structure

  17. Agency Monitoring Programs • Watershed Initiative • DEP Water Quality Assessments • Riverways Programs • Division of Marine Fisheries Shellfish Project • MA Coastal Zone Management • MA Water Resources Authority • Mass GIS

  18. Agency ProgramsConclusions • Watershed Initiative provides clear venue for volunteer monitoring However • One year monitoring every 5 years? • Monitoring effectiveness of solutions? • Implementation is a long-term, on-going • Success depends on skills and interests watershed team leaders.

  19. Agency ProgramsConclusions • VMGs involved with watershed teams, stream teams, or community councils. • VMGs involved w/ DEP water quality assessments. • VMGs receive various services via Riverways - schools through MRWA. • VMGs involved w/ CZM/MBP through RPAs.

  20. Volunteer Monitoring In Massachusetts - the Pieces Volunteer Monitoring Groups Agency Programs Service Providers Funding Advisory Structure

  21. Service Providers • Organizational Services • Starting up • Program development • Budgeting • Fundraising • Strategic planning • Board development

  22. Service Providers • Technical Services • Study design • Training in field and lab techniques • Quality assurance • Equipment loans • Lab analysis • Data management, interpretation, reporting

  23. Service Providers • Laboratory Services • Different types and specialties • Training in field and lab techniques • Groups use labs in different ways • Turnaround time • Costs/funding • Geography

  24. Service ProvidersConclusions • Monitoring groups are generally satisfied with service • Continue regular communication among service providers • Gear services to needs (but not just those dictated by groups)

  25. Volunteer Monitoring In Massachusetts - the Pieces Volunteer Monitoring Groups Agency Programs Service Providers Funding Advisory Structure

  26. Advisory Structure • Citizens Advisory Committee (CAC) • Share techniques and recommend monitoring methods • Advise EOEA on regional service provider network • Advise on grants program • Develop working relationships w/ agencies • “Core group” - working group

  27. Advisory StructureConclusions • An advisory structure is essential • Participation is spotty • Interests well-represented

  28. Volunteer Monitoring In Massachusetts - the Pieces Volunteer Monitoring Groups Agency Programs Service Providers Funding Advisory Structure

  29. Funding Opportunities • Volunteer Monitoring Grants • Watershed Stewardship Program • Communities Connected by Water • MET • Non-agency Funding

  30. Funding OpportunitiesConclusions • Problems with 1st year volunteer monitoring grants • 501c3 status requirement can be a problem • Sustaining basic programs of service providers and monitoring groups is a challenge • Current funding split between service providers and groups makes sense

  31. Volunteer Monitoring Vision

  32. Increasing Time - Rigor - QA - Expense Volunteer Monitoring Vision Clarifying the Purpose of Volunteer Monitoring Purposes Formal Education Problem Screening Watershed Assessment Awareness Data Use Water Management Agencies Individual Participants

  33. Increasing Time - Rigor - QA - Expense Volunteer Monitoring Vision Monitoring should be designed to match purposes Formal Education Problem Screening Watershed Assessment Awareness Activities Physical, chemical and biological indicators of impairment Visual Observations

  34. Increasing Time - Rigor - QA - Expense Volunteer Monitoring Vision Monitoring should be designed to match purposes Formal Education Problem Screening Watershed Assessment Awareness Methods Standard Methods, EPA/DEP methods Not prescribed

  35. Increasing Time - Rigor - QA - Expense Volunteer Monitoring Vision Monitoring should be designed to match purposes Formal Education Problem Screening Watershed Assessment Awareness Training Rigorous training by state-designated trainer Minimal

  36. Increasing Time - Rigor - QA - Expense Volunteer Monitoring Vision Monitoring should be designed to match purposes Formal Education Problem Screening Watershed Assessment Awareness Quality Assurance Minimal, simple monitoring plan EPA-approved QAPP

  37. Volunteer Monitoring Vision Watershed teams are the key point of contact • for MassGIS • For DEP Water Quality Assessments • Approved study design or QAPP • Results in citable report • Study design for watershed assessment and screening

  38. Volunteer Monitoring Vision Watershed teams are a key point of contact • Service providers on the team • Volunteer monitoring groups on the team

  39. Volunteer Monitoring Vision Watershed Study Designs Tie It All Together • Study Design for each watershed • Volunteer monitoring groups • Identify “hot spots” • Monitor more sites • Sample more frequently • Monitor in the “off years” of cycle

  40. Volunteer Monitoring Vision Clear guidance = consistent study designs and assessment info • Standardize study design process, not content (guidance document). How to design a monitoring program for • each purpose • problem sources • water body types • Standardized data storage, retrieval and interpretation process (guidance document)

  41. Volunteer Monitoring Vision Service providers provide training and consultation • Local service providers • Service centers • Statewide service coordinator • Agency service providers • New England & national service providers

  42. Volunteer Monitoring Vision Service providers provide training and consultation Evaluation is a key to providing effective services • At all workshops • Evaluation before and after training • Statewide services coordinator evaluates new service providers • Evaluations posted in directory

  43. Volunteer Monitoring Vision Volunteer monitoring services directory . . . • List of service providers and contact info • How services are provided • List of available training materials • Calendar of trainings • Costs of services • Web-based

  44. Volunteer Monitoring Vision Services are provided based on needs assessment • Regular needs assessment of volunteer monitoring groups • Service provider work plan based on needs assessments • Funding for service providers allocated based on services needs, over and above basic support

  45. Volunteer Monitoring Vision An advisory structure assures responsiveness • Watershed level relationships • Regional Steering Committees • Statewide Steering Committee • Citizens Advisory Congress

  46. Volunteer Monitoring Vision Adequate funding for volunteer monitoring groups, service providers, and agencies is the key . . . • On-going state support is essential • Allocate funding to provide services in addition to buying services • Consider basic operating support for service providers • Tie funding to needs assessments • Provide funding for agency staff that support volunteer monitoring

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