Introduction to Riverwatch 2011

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What is Illinois River Watch  A volunteer stream monitoring program coordinated by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR)  Provides citizen volunteers the opportunity to learn first-hand about stream ecology and the condition of Illinois' streams  Helps scientists monitor the condition of streams statewide.  A volunteer stream monitoring program coordinated by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR)  Provides citizen volunteers the opportunity to learn first-hand about stream ecology and the condition of Illinois' streams  Helps scientists monitor the condition of streams statewide.

3 goals of Eco Watch are 1.to provide consistent high-quality data which can be used by scientists to measure how the condition of our state's ecosystems is changing over time 2.to educate and inform Illinois citizens about the ecology and importance of Illinois ecosystems; 3.to provide an opportunity for Illinois citizens, to become involved in the stewardship of the state's ecosystems. 1.to provide consistent high-quality data which can be used by scientists to measure how the condition of our state's ecosystems is changing over time 2.to educate and inform Illinois citizens about the ecology and importance of Illinois ecosystems; 3.to provide an opportunity for Illinois citizens, to become involved in the stewardship of the state's ecosystems.

Goals for the class  We participate in the collection of scientific data that can be used by biologists, project managers, policy makers, landowners, and individual citizens (such as ourselves) to classify our local streams.

Goals for the class  We gauge long-term trends, develop land management strategies, and assess the success of restoration projects.

Goals for the class  We perform the procedures to understand the health of the water sources around us & what kind of elements effect the water  We perform the procedures to understand the health of the water sources around us & what kind of elements effect the water

What are we looking for:  Habitat Assessment changes  Physical differences  Flow changes,  Streambank changes  Aesthetic changes  Habitat Assessment changes  Physical differences  Flow changes,  Streambank changes  Aesthetic changes

What are we looking for ?  Abiotic testing for pollutants  For example, some human activities  such as sewage effluent (the watery materials resulting from sewage treatment);  soil and sand from construction or channel alteration;  agricultural runoff from pesticides, fertilizers, and animal manure  Human activity may also add solids (trash) or liquids to the water by dumping, accidents, or runoff.  Abiotic testing for pollutants  For example, some human activities  such as sewage effluent (the watery materials resulting from sewage treatment);  soil and sand from construction or channel alteration;  agricultural runoff from pesticides, fertilizers, and animal manure  Human activity may also add solids (trash) or liquids to the water by dumping, accidents, or runoff.

What are we looking for ?  Biotic changes  Lower oxygen levels in the water, may lead to amounts too low for the survival of intolerant species of macroinvertebrates.  Too many or few nutrients affect plant and animal life  Biotic changes  Lower oxygen levels in the water, may lead to amounts too low for the survival of intolerant species of macroinvertebrates.  Too many or few nutrients affect plant and animal life

Preparing to go outside  Make sure you and your partners have all the necessary equipment and clip boards and boots.  All boots are to be returned to the appropriate rack shelf in the back of the room. Any boots not returned will not be available for your future use.  Make sure you and your partners have all the necessary equipment and clip boards and boots.  All boots are to be returned to the appropriate rack shelf in the back of the room. Any boots not returned will not be available for your future use.

Requirements for lab  Create a team  This team of people will be your team for the rest of the water unit.  You will take a team test with this team: day one of two test days  You are responsible for sharing lab data with the entire class  Create a team  This team of people will be your team for the rest of the water unit.  You will take a team test with this team: day one of two test days  You are responsible for sharing lab data with the entire class

What are we looking for:  All in all, this project is a very useful project and has many purposes and goals that are essential in keeping track of our streams healthy and safe for both humans and organisms

About the team tests  You must meet the following criteria to take the tests with your team:  Daily attendance for outside labs  Missing more than one outside lab  Be present the test day  Those that do not meet the above criteria will take the tests alone.  You must meet the following criteria to take the tests with your team:  Daily attendance for outside labs  Missing more than one outside lab  Be present the test day  Those that do not meet the above criteria will take the tests alone.