Catch up on archived issues of The Volunteer Monitor newsletter here.

  • Spring 2010 – Emerging Issues and New Technologies: Vol. 21, No. 1 (20 pp)
    • Monitoring Impacts of New Gas Drilling Technologies – Freshwater Algae Blooms – Marine Algae Network – Displaying Sites and Data with Google “My Maps” – Protecting Lake Hallett – One-Day Snapshot Finds Hotspots – Dealing with the Down Turn – Better Outreach and Impact – Electronic Meters
  • Fall 2009 – Celebrating Volunteers & Innovation: Vol. 20, No. 2 (16 pp)
    • Amazing Volunteers – Homemade Water Samplers – Macroinvertebrate Equipment – International Lessons – Cooperative Extension Project
  • Spring 2009 – Aquatic Invasive Species: Vol. 20, No. 1 (24 pp)
    • Invasive Plant Patrollers – Riverine Early Detectors – Boat Inspections – Mussel Monitoring Methods – Marine Invaders in Salem Sound – Don’t Spread Invasives! – Volunteer Saves the Day
  • Summer 2008 – Doing Science, Taking Action: Vol. 19, No. 1 (24 pp)
    • Volunteer Research Symposium – Publishing in Science Journals – C-SAW: Free Technical Help – Integrating Science and Having Fun – Outstanding Alabama Water – Clear Creek – Data Validation: Invasive Crab Study – National Conference Report
  • Fall 2006 – Observational Monitoring: Vol. 18, No. 2 (24 pp)
    • Human Use Monitoring – Coliscan Products – Construction Site Monitoring – Delaware Bay Oil Spill – Beach Debris – Stream Walk Success Story – Observational Monitoring QAPPs – Transparency Tube Comparison – Horseshoe Crabs
  • Winter 2006 – Bacteria Monitoring: Vol. 18, No. 1 (24 pp)
    • Methods Comparison Study – Oregon Validation Study – Guide to Bacteria Testing Methods – Kids Conduct “Poop Study” – Microbial Source Tracking – MST Methods – Low-Tech Source Tracking – Monitoring Runoff from CAFOs – Simple Approaches – Texas Volunteers Earn Respect
  • Summer 2005 – Macroinvertebrate Monitoring: Vol. 17, No. 2 (24 pp)
    • Identification Approaches – Case Studies – Live Identification Techniques – Using Leaf Packs – Homemade Sieves – Maryland Comparison Study – Macroinvertebrate Resources – Agency Methods
  • Winter 2005 – Data Documentation and Interpretation: Vol. 17, No. 1 (24 pp)
    • Metadata – Volunteer Certification – Documenting Site Locations – Data Analysis Workshops – Volunteer Data in STORET – Environmental Art – River of Words – Gravelometer – Comparing Salinity Methods
  • Summer 2004 – The Business of Partnering: Vol. 16, No. 2 (24 pp)
    • Business Approach – Clarity Methods – Rock Baskets – First Flush Storm Sampling – Storm Event Sampler – Teacher Training – Multi-Partner Network – Partnering with Corporations – Report from NWQMC Conference – Newsletter Index, 1996-2004
  • Winter 2004 – Agency Partnerships: Vol. 16, No. 1 (23 pp)
    • Maine Volunteers Partner with Regulatory Agencies – Using Volunteer Data at NJ DEP : A Tiered Approach – World Water Monitoring Day – The Power of Informal Alliances – IL Riverwatch Looks Back – Pennsylvania Partnerships: Three Models – Minnesota Stream Program Builds on Lake Success – Measuring Clarity
  • Summer 2003 – Focus on Fish: Vol. 15, No. 2 (23 pp)
    • A Social Scientist’s Perspective – World Water Monitoring Day – Tagging – Fish Seining with Blue Thumb – Fish Counts – Monitoring Sea Turtles – A Second Look at Invasives – Detecting Sewage Leaks with Optical Brightener Monitoring – Measuring Stream Flow
  • Winter 2003 – University Partnerships: Vol. 15, No. 1 (24 pp)
    • The Allarm Program – National Conference – College-Community Partnerships – Virginia SOS Modified Method – Validating LAKEWATCH – Research-based K-12 Curricula – International Water Projects – Citizen Science in Delaware – Cooperative Extension Programs – National Water Monitoring Day – Participatory Research at UNH
  • Summer 2002 – Success Stories: Vol. 14, No. 2 (32 pp)
    • Protecting a Scenic Treasure – Sewer Problems – Keeping Trout Cool – Paper Mill Pollution – Interpreting Dredging Impacts – Opening Clam Flats – “Soupy” Ponds Cleaned Up – Florida Lake Regions Project – Santa Monica Bay TMDL – Fighting Invasive Species – Secchi Stories – Huron River: Four Successes
  • Winter 2002 – Monitoring Beaches and Reefs: Vol. 14, No. 1 (24 pp)
    • Beach Profiling Measures Erosion – Surveying the Intertidal Zone o Adopt-A-Tidepool – Beached Bird Surveys – Reef Condition Monitoring (RECON) REEF and Reef Check – Sea Stewards Monitor Protected Zones in FL Keys – Technical: Salinity Methods Comparison
  • Spring 2001 – Clean Water Act: Vol. 13, No. 1 (79 pp)
    • Overview of Clean Water Act – TX Volunteers Use Antidegradation to Protect River – Lake User Perception Surveys – MO Eighth-graders Testify Volunteer Data in 305(b) Reports – Getting TX Streams Listed on 303(d) – Collecting Data for TMDLs in LA and Santa Cruz – Writing for the Public
  • Fall 2000 – Monitoring Flora: Vol. 12, No. 2 (64 pp)
    • “When Are Plants a Problem?” – Surveying Lake Vegetation – Why Monitor Aquatic Vegetation? – Detecting Exotic Species Invasions – Marsh Plant Bioassessment – Illinois Forest Watch – Periphyton – Technical: Chlorophyll Methods; Integrated Samplers; Air-Dryer for Chlorophyll Samples; Viewing Tube; Sampling Rake
  • Spring 2000 – Monitoring Fauna: Vol. 12, No. 1 (66 pp)
    • Macroinvertebrate Data: Volunteers vs. Professionals – Great Herp Search – Animal Tracking – Bugs in Your Face (Cool Facts) – Recent Trends in Macroinvertebrate Monitoring – NatureMapping – Tracking Bird Use of Restoration Sites – Toxic Phytoplankton Update – Bacti Monitoring Success Stories – Technical: Bug Rack
  • Fall 1999 – Youth Projects: Vol. 11, No. 2 (72 pp)
    • Bioassays in the Classroom – GLOBE Program – Large-Scale Watershed Models – Working with 4-H – Aerial Photos – Students Document Road Impacts in National Forest – Monitoring as a Festival Activity – Youth Corps Restoration Projects – One-Day Monitoring Event – Technical: Monitoring Optical Brighteners to Trace Bacteria Sources
  • Spring 1999 – Restoration: Vol. 11, No. 1 (71 pp)
    Co-editors: Delaware Riverkeeper Network.
    • Ecological Restoration – Fixing a Salt Marsh – Bioengineering at Paper Mill Run – Monitoring Restoration Success – Restoring a Coastal Scrub Community – Site Selection for SAV Planting – Restoration Projects: Tips for Success – Using Restoration to Teach Science
  • Fall 1998 – Monitoring Estuaries: Vol. 10, No. 2 (71 pp)
    Co-editors: Friends of Casco Bay
    • How Monitoring Changes from River to Estuary – Toxic Phytoplankton: Early Warning for Shellfish Poisoning – Monitoring Submerged Aquatic Vegetation (SAV) – Estuary Monitoring in Alaska – Spartina Watch – NEPs, NERRs, & Volunteer Monitoring – Technical: Bacteria Indicators & Methods; Homemade Incubator Update; “Water Tower” Creek Model
  • Spring 1998 – Monitoring Wetlands: Vol. 10, No. 1 (102 pp)
    Co-editors: Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay.
    • Wetlands Primer – Wetlands Controversies – Volunteer Wetland Monitoring Around the U.S. – Monitoring Turtles – Amphibian Decline – Protecting Vernal Pools – Salt Marsh Assessment – Wetland Bioassessment: Macroinvertebrates & Plants Also: Results of National Volunteer Monitoring Survey
  • Fall 1997 – Community Outreach: Vol. 9, No. 2 (68 pp)
    Co-editors: Rivers Council of Minnesota
    • Moving People from Belief to Action – Outreach Ideas – Crafting Your Message – Working with Native Alaskan Communities – Recruitment & Community Organizing – Media Strategies for Cheapskates – Technical: Tracking Down Fecal Coliform Sources; Automated Flow-Through Sampler; Shallow Water Sampler
  • Spring 1997 – Methods and Techniques: Vol. 9, No. 1 (77 pp)
    Co-editors: Rhode Island Watershed Watch
    • High Schoolers Identify “Most Wanted” Macroinvertebrates – Test Kit Tips: DO, Nutrients – Waste Disposal – Salinity by Conductivity & Hydrometer – Parallel Testing: Volunteers vs. Professionals – Statistical Analysis
  • Fall 1996 – Wide World of Monitoring: Vol. 8, No. 2 (56 pp)
    Co-editors: Coyote Creek Riparian Station
    • Health Surveys on U.S.-Mexico Border – Monitoring Stream Morphology & Behavior – Monitoring Wetlands – Bird Banding: Assuring Quality Data – Beach Surveys – Coral Reefs – Sea Turtles – Air Monitoring – Technical: Duckweed Assay for Toxicity Testing
  • Spring 1996 – Managing a Volunteer Monitoring Program: Vol. 8, No. 1 (72 pp)
    Co-editors: Bellevue Stream Team Program, Bellevue, WA
    • 23 Ways to Say Thank You – Getting Started – Developing Volunteer Leaders – Why Volunteers Leave – Stages of Organizational Development – Strategic Planning – Liability Insurance & Waivers – Technical: Lettuce Seed Bioassay; Low-Cost Photometer
  • Fall 1995 – Monitoring Urban Watersheds: Vol. 7, No. 2 (72 pp)
    Co-editors: Texas Watch
    • Connecting People with Urban Waters – “Urban Watch” Nonpoint Pollution Monitoring in Texas – Storm Drain Stenciling – Monitoring Paired Watersheds – Restoring an Urban Creekbed – Monitoring Stoneflies in January – Spanish-Language Monitoring Resources – Technical: Calculating pH Statistics; Test Kits for Organic Contaminants; Staff/Crest Gauge; Stream Sentinel (“Fish in a Bottle”)
  • Spring 1995 – Managing and Presenting Your Data: Vol. 7, No. 1 (72 pp)
    Co-editors: New Hampshire Lakes Lay Monitoring Program
    • Seize the Data! – Using Data in the Classroom – Common-Sense Data Screening – Designing a Computerized Data Management System – Geographic Information Systems (GIS) – “Variability Happens”: Basic Statistics – Using Graphs – Packaging Data Creatively – Data Interpretation
  • Fall 1994 – Monitoring a Watershed: Vol. 6, No. 2 (71 pp)
    Co-editors: Tip of the Mitt Watershed Council
    • Habitat Monitoring – Watershed Delineation – Watershed Plan for Merrimack River – Groundwater – Testing Wells for Nitrate – Estuary Monitoring Using Aerial Photographs – Land Use Surveys – Technical: Homemade Air Incubator; Australian “Turbidity Tube”; Low-Cost Van Dorn Sampler; Displaying Secchi Data
  • Spring 1994 – Volunteer Monitoring: Past, Present, & Future: Vol. 6, No. 1 (51 pp)
    Co-editors: River Watch Network
    • History of Volunteer Monitoring – National Survey Results – What Parameters Volunteers Test – Beyond Water Quality Testing (Beached Birds, Riparian Habitat, Amphibians, etc.) – Putting Data to Use – Volunteer Data in 305(b) Reports – Mad River Bacteria Data Used by Community – Citizens’ Data Helps Set Lake Champlain Phosphorus Standards – Technical: Phosphorus Monitoring; Hose for Collecting Integrated Samples; Water Bath Incubator Update
  • Fall 1993 – Staying Afloat Financially: Vol. 5, No. 2 (82 pp)
    Co-editors: Maryland Save Our Streams
    • Effective Fundraising – Drawing Up a Budget – Grassroots Fundraising (Phone-a-thons, Memberships, Events) – Selling Lab Services – Proposal-Writing Tips – Grantwriting for Teachers – Clean Water Act Funding – Building Partnerships – Cooperative Extension Support – Corporate Sponsors
  • Spring 1993 – School-Based Monitoring: Vol. 5, No. 1 (64 pp)
    Co-editors: Global Rivers Environmental Education Network (GREEN)
    • How to Work with Schools – Interdisciplinary Monitoring Programs – Action Plans – Getting the Word Out – Computer Networking – Quality Control of Student Data – Student Congresses – Students Against Zebra Mussels – School as Hub of Community – Technical: Toxicity Bioassay with Daphnia; Homemade Water Bath Incubator; Salinity Testing; Correcting Hydrometer Readings