The Consortium for Scientific Assistance to Watersheds (C-SAW)

Melissa RecknerKiski-Conemaugh Stream Team Director

June 26, 2015

What is C-SAW?• A team of specialists who provide

FREE organizational and scientific technical assistance to PA-based watershed and conservation organizations

• The goals are to help groups increase their knowledge, skills and capacity for:o Assessing watershed health

o Identifying solutions

o Developing monitoring programs and

restoration projects

o Empowering volunteers to lead their

programs into the future

• Funded by a PA Growing Greener grant administered by the Poconos NE RC&D Council

Who’s Eligible?

• The same groups that are eligible to apply for Growing

Greener grants!

• Must be based in PA

• Project must address watershed degradation / pollution /

education

Assistance Providers

Types of Assistance (1)

• Watershed-specific o Monitoring plan – program development and management

o Monitoring equipment selection

o Monitoring methods: water quality, stream flow, habitat, lake, stormwater

o Macroinvertebrate collection and ID

o Invasive species ID and management

o Data management, analysis, interpretation, and communication strategies

o GIS support

o Strategic planning / organizational development

o Volunteer recruitment and retention

Types of Assistance (2)

• Mentoringo Intensive, long-term (2-5 years)

o For new and established groups

Types of Assistance (3)

• Quality Controlo Blind sample analysis for water quality (USGS)

o Split sample analysis for water quality (ALLARM)

o Macroinvertebrate identification (CVC and SWRC)

Examples of Assistance - ALLARM

Volunteer water quality monitoring trainingVolunteer recruitment/ retention strategiesStudy designEquipment selectionData analysisData managementSplit water quality analysisAdvise on watershed report generationStrategic planning assistanceEnhancing organizational structureFostering partnerships

Examples of Assistance - CVC

Setting up a data logger program

Examples of Assistance - DRN

Training Master Naturalists

Examples of Assistance - PALMS

Pond workshop

Examples of Assistance - Stroud

Stream school

Examples of Assistance - USGS

Identifying locations for stage and streamflow monitoring

More Examples of Assistance

• Arrowhead Chapter of Trout Unlimited

• Blackleggs Creek Watershed Association

• Chartiers Creek and Buffalo Creek Watershed

Associations

• Potter County Conservation District

• Scottsdale Elementary School

From April – December

2014:

47 organizations

45 Trainings/Workshops

406 Consultations

1,872 individuals

Complete an application

Submit to C-SAW Partner prior to project

Partner will submit for DEP approval

Request will be approved or denied

How to apply?

Volunteer Recruitment and Retention Tips

Volunteer Recruitment

• Identify goals and needs

• Develop volunteer job descriptions

• Advertise need

• Have a sign-up form at all events

• Connect with local schools, other organizations – Partner

up

• Share existing volunteers’ stories

• Ask volunteers to help recruit

Volunteer Recruitment Pieces

• PowerPoint

• Job Descriptions

• Facebook page

• Website

• Brochure / fact sheet

• Press releases

• Media contact database

• Marketing plan

Volunteer Retention

• Train volunteers; provide written manual

• Work with them until they’re comfortable on their own

• Encourage working in pairs

• Streamline communications – 1 POC

• Stay in touch! Communicate regularly

• Show appreciationo Volunteer award(s)

o Presidential Service Awards.gov

o Listed in annual report

o Gifts

o Annual Appreciation Picnic

o Thank yous

o Christmas cards

Volunteer Retention

Don’t focus on numbers.

It is more meaningful and efficient to have fewer,

but more engaged volunteers.

Members are different from volunteers.

Kiski-Conemaugh Stream Team

• ~ 30 volunteers sampling 200+ AMD sites

• Most sites are sampled quarterly

• Two week time frame scheduled 13 weeks aparto January, April, July, October

• Avoid sampling on Thursday eve, Friday, Saturday

• Thanks to grants over time, everyone has their own

equipment.

Final Thoughts

C-SAW does not conduct watershed monitoring or

assessments, but rather helps watershed groups

do a better job with their own monitoring and

assessments.

It is a resource.

What projects might you have for C-SAW?

http://c-saw.info