Thursday, September 16, 2010

End of Summer Projects

Whoops! Summer in Wisconsin goes by like the blink of an eye. Wow, where did it go?

So now we are at the end of summer. Our Water Monitoring Projects are at or near completion for another year. Were we successful? Did we accomplish what we set out to do?

Of course, I have less than a worldview of success. I'm told by Professor Murphy of Murf's Muddpuppy Water Monitoring Team and head Water Action Volunteer Coordinator for our CWRiverkeeper Association that 14 teams successfully updated the documentation on the WAV website for 20 locations in Central Wisconsin at a near 100% rate. (That was two weeks ago--near Labor Day.)

Our CWRiver Keepers network of enthusiastic volunteers can be proud of the effort put forth to achieve our goals. I'm also told our volunteer list of participants has grown to 109 persons. Wow. Thank you to everyone who is stepping forward to do this activity.

A few of the leaders have been meeting on a most regular basis sharing ideas about where we're headed with our organization for the upcoming monitoring season. Of course in order to finalize plans we need your input. Can you take a moment to comment here:

How many times did your team monitor?
How many teammates attended your sessions on a regular basis?
What equipment (Hach or LaMotte) did you use to collect Dissolved Oxygen?
Which test was the easiest to accomplish?
Which test do you feel most competent in performing?
Conversely, Which test is the most difficult for your team?

And if you could add any suggestions to amend the way we handle this activity.
(You can comment here below or send an email to this blog's host, we'd like to hear from you.)

Lastly, there's a CWRiverkeeper Appreciation Banquet being held on Monday November 8th at the Fin & Feather in Winneconne...details will follow. But please put this date aside. It will begin approximately at 5 PM. An RSVP is requested. (Please contact JGremmer as soon as you can about your intentions to attend.) We hope everyone can make it!

Thank you again for your efforts at Water Monitoring this season. 2010 will be remembered as the Year of the Water, no doubt! The CW Riverkeepers are off to a great start. Thanks to YOU!