Mercer County Residents Learn About Water Quality Monitoring in 2-Part Workshop

Mercer County residents have the chance to learn how to monitor water quality in their town during a two-part series in May.

On Saturday, May 14 and Saturday, May 21, local AmeriCorps New Jersey Watershed Ambassador Alison McCarthy will provide free stream monitoring training from 9 a.m. to noon at the Tulpehaking Nature Center.

New Jersey’s streams and rivers provide drinking water, recreational opportunities, natural beauty, and habitat for wildlife.

However, many of the state’s waterways are not protected and may be negatively impacted by human activity.

Collecting information about water quality can help to identify streams that may be poluuted, as well as those that are in optimal condition.

Once they are identified, residents can begin to find ways to both restore and protect local streams so they can continue to be used and enjoyed by all, county officials said on Monday.

Participants of this two-part series will learn how to collect visual and biological data at a nearby stream.

Each workshop will include an indoor information session and an outdoor practice session. The training on May 14 will cover visual stream assessments, while the training on May 21 will cover biological stream assessments.

Graduates of this workshop will be eligible to join the Abbott Marshlands Stream Team. Stream team volunteers must be at least 18 years of age, or ages 14-17 with a parent.

For interested volunteers, county officials particularly encourage attendance at the visual assessment training on May 14.

Each workshop is free, and attendees don’t need to attend both parts. They should bring waders or other footwear that can be worn into the stream.

Pre-registration is required by calling 609-888-3218 or e-mailing natureprograms@mercercounty.org.