Volunteers Needed to Help Keep Our Waters Clean!

There is no shortage of volunteer opportunities for people interested in clean water. Volunteers can monitor the water quality of local streams or adopt a local public space and prevent litter from entering our waterways. Together we can make a difference!

VOLUNTEER FOR CLEAN WATER

Go beyond learning and take action for cleaner water
There is no shortage of volunteer opportunities for people interested in clean water. The
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) needs volunteers to help monitor the
state’s 92,000 miles of rivers and 12,000-plus lakes. It’s easy to do and is a great way to
get fresh air! Citizen stream monitoring volunteers working with the MPCA gather data
that is used to assess and monitor water quality conditions over time. As more sites are
monitored, the water quality picture becomes clearer, leading to answers about the
sources of pollution and how to prevent it. Volunteers who register to participate in these
programs will receive instructions and equipment from MPCA.Become an observer of
natures’ cycles and develop a sense of stewardship for “your” water.
Volunteers in MPCA’s Citizen Stream Monitoring Program(CSMP) try to collect weekly data as long as streams are ice
free. When visiting their established spot, volunteers use a transparency tube and record their observations about
transparency, appearance, recreational suitability, precipitation, and water level. In Rochester, volunteers are needed to
monitor: Silver Creek at 11th Avenue, Zumbro River at Elton Hills Drive, Zumbro River and 16th Street, Bear Creek
upstream of Highway 14, Cascade Creek at 7th Street NW, Cascade Creek at 9th Avenue NW, and more! More details
about the CSMP program can be found at: http://www.pca.state.mn.us/water/csmp.html or by calling 800-657-3864.
If weekly water monitoring is not your “thing”, you can also help improve water quality by collecting litter as a
participant in one of many “Adopt-A” programs. Individuals or groups are welcome. Contact the agency and program
that interests you to find out if there is an adoptable area in your vicinity.
Adopt-A-Park (Rochester Park and Recreation Department)
http://www.rochestermn.gov/departments/park/activities/community/Adopt-a-Park.asp
Adopt-A-River (Minnesota Department of Natural Resources)
http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/adoptriver/index.html
Adopt-A-Highway (Minnesota Department of Transportation)
http://www.dot.state.mn.us/adopt/
Adopt-A-Highway (Olmsted County Public Works Department)
http://www.co.olmsted.mn.us/departments/pw/adopt-a-highway.asp
Adopt-A-Storm Water Pond (Rochester Storm Water Management)
http://www.rochesterstormwater.com/adpotapond.asp

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