1. Building a Community of Stewardship Through Water Monitoring
Salmon in Little Swamp Creek
Eric Adman, President, Sno-King Watershed Council

2. You can use Community Based Water Monitoring to…
Connect people to their local environment
Involve adults and children
Foster environmental stewardship
Build community connections

3. What is CBWM & how did we get started?
A Practical Model for Global Watershed Stewardship 3 3

4. ABOUT OUR PROGRAM – WHO WE ARE
Community-based water monitoring (CBWM) program in the North King / south Snohomish county area.
We foster watershed stewardship through the development of volunteer water monitors.
Monitors use their data to advocate for protection and restoration of streams, lakes, wetlands and natural areas, provide environmental education, and increase public awareness.

5. SNO-KING WATER WATCHERS – WHY WE MONITOR
Urban streams in the Puget Sound area have problems.
Storm water pollution, sediment, and other contaminants have reduced our streams’ capacity to support salmon and other native wildlife.
Streams are often unsafe for human contact.
Agencies lack staff resources to stay on top of problems
Construction stormwater runoff (turbidity) monitoring
Bacteria monitoring

6. Bacteria Biological Indicators Water Chemistry
WHAT WE MONITOR
Bacteria Biological Indicators Water Chemistry
Sites are tested monthly for water chemistry and bacteria. Sites are evaluated annually for “benthic macroinvertebrates”, stream-dwelling insects which are long-term indicators of biological health.

7. Action on construction stormwater problems
2017_INT SKWC_3day
PROGRAM SUCCESSES
Action on construction stormwater problems
Action on bacteriological contamination issues
Collaboration with local jurisdictions and enforcement agencies
Training provided to other community organizations
Educational partnerships with local environmental education groups

8. Effects of development Old construction with no stormwater control
2017_INT SKWC_3day
ISSUES & CHALLENGES
Water quality issues
Effects of development
Old construction with no stormwater control
Lack of enforcement on water quality issues
Organization issues
Small organization
All volunteer
Limited resources
Volunteer management
Funding

9. Thornton Creek Alliance Lake Forest Park Streamkeepers
2017_INT SKWC_3day
COLLABORATIONS
Thornton Creek Alliance
Lake Forest Park Streamkeepers
Edmonds Community College
Oxbow Farm
Puget Soundkeeper & Unleash the Brilliance
Local school groups
Vision – integrate local monitoring groups

10. Monitor local streams & waterbodies Share information
2017_INT SKWC_3day
WAYS THE GREEN-DUWAMISH COMMUNITY CAN USE CBWM TO HELP WITH WATERSHED HEALTH
Create a program
Monitor local streams & waterbodies
Share information
Partner with local organizations and schools
Bring local knowledge to action
We can help!