EcoEvents

Be a Natural Resource ‘Stream Wader’ and help Save the Bay

DNR Trains Volunteers For Stream Monitoring
Maryland Stream Waders Program Offers Three Volunteer Training Sessions

ANNAPOLIS, MD — The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will be training volunteers to help monitor the health of local streams across the state. DNR relies on volunteer “Stream Waders” to support its annual Maryland Biological Stream Survey which monitors the health of more than 10,000 miles of streams to provide critical information needed to protect and restore our aquatic resources, including the Chesapeake Bay.

“The Chesapeake Bay begins in the small streams located in many Marylander’s backyards,” explained Ron Klauda, Director of DNR’s Monitoring and Non-tidal Assessment Division. “Successful protection and restoration of Maryland’s rivers and the Chesapeake Bay requires monitoring, protecting, and restoring the thousands of miles of headwater streams that feed them.”

Over the next month DNR will hold three Stream Waders volunteer training sessions from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.:

• Saturday, February 16 at the Patuxent River 4-H Center
  18405 Queen Anne Road in Upper Marlboro (Prince George’s County)
• Saturday, February 23 at the Fairview Outdoor Center
  12808 Draper Road in Clear Spring (Washington County)
• Saturday, March 1 at the West Nottingham Academy
  1079 Firetower Road in Colora (Cecil County)

“Maryland’s volunteer Stream Waders provide valuable support and water quality data that enable the DNR to assess local stream health,” added Dan Boward, DNR Biologist.

Interested volunteers may register for a training session by emailing streamwaders@dnr.state.md.us or calling 1-877-620-8DNR (x8623). For additional information visit http://www.dnr.state.md.us/streams/mbss/w_new.html.