Building New Traditions for Volunteer Monitoring Programs - Moving the Extension Volunteer Monitoring Network to the Next Level

Volunteer monitoring can be a tremendous asset for water quality protection efforts. It helps get people out into the environment -literally getting their feet wet -and builds a unique understanding and appreciation of natural resources. The National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) Volunteer Water Quality Monitoring National Water Resource Project has developed resources to encourage and strengthen volunteer monitoring efforts in local communities. Our Guide for Growing Extension Volunteer Monitoring Programs, provides a strong foundation for new programs, and is based upon decades of experience from existing programs. The Guide incorporates extensive references and links to materials from a wide array of volunteer monitoring programs to support capacity-building in emerging and existing volunteer monitoring efforts. Module topics range from monitoring program design to tips for successfully reaching out to local communities to effect change based on monitoring results. However, this and most current resources are largely based on "Western science" with a strong emphasis on water quality monitoring based on assessing conditions compared to designated numeric standards. This approach often misses the more context-based water concerns expressed by tribal communities, making it difficult for traditional volunteer monitoring programs to fully address tribal needs. Water has a unique cultural significance in tribal communities, and is often a driving mechanism of community interaction celebrated through stories and rituals. By understanding and incorporating this perspective, we can better provide support to tribal colleges and universities (TCU) to integrate volunteer monitoring programs into tribal initiatives.