Stream of Consciousness
Volume 49 Article 1
2017 Stream of Consciousness (2017) Alliance for Aquatic Resource Monitoring (ALLARM)
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All pictures are property of ALLARM unless otherwise noted. Contents
Volunteer Monitoring Motivations By: Natalie McNeill 4 Chesapeake Bay Policy: 34 Years and Counting By: Helen Schlimm 7 Exploring the Chesapeake Monitoring Cooperative By: Abby Kaija 10 ALLARM’s Connection to Social Justice: 12 Educating and Engaging By: Hayat Rasul Stormwater Regulation in Carlisle By: Tom O’Donnell 14 ALLARM’s Largest Lab Comparability Study By: Allison Curley 16 What’s the Buzz on Water Bugs and Limestone Streams? By: Nick Long 17 Assessment of Pennsylvania’s Watershed Field By: Claire Jordy 19 Living in a DIY World: Advancing Do-It-Yourself Automatic 22 Data-logging Technology through MayFly DIY By: Jake Beley How “Green” Is Your Lawn? By: Olivia Boggiano-Peterson 24 Riparian Buffers and Invasive Species By: Cheyenne Moore 26 Reflecting on the Stream Restoration ProjectBy: Caroline Kanaskie 28 ALLARM’s Shale Gas Database By: Yueli Liang 30 Getting to Know the Big Spring Watershed Association By: Ellen Bair 32 LeTort Monitoring: An In-Depth Look By: Xinyi Wu 33 The Wave of Community Action By: Juliet Risko 35 Senior Reflections 37 ALLARM in Pictures 42 Top: Yueli Liang ‘18 (left), Allison Curley ‘19, and Natalie McNeill ‘17 conducting a shale gas workshop in Westmoreland County. Bottom: Left to right: Corry Stream Team (CST) monitor recording his fellow monitors’ results; CST volunteers monitoring conductivity and recording their results; Juliet Risko ‘19 (left) and Natalie McNeill ‘17 helping volunteers identify macroinvertebrates.
Volunteer Monitoring Motivations By: Natalie McNeill
recent study conducted by the Environmental Protection (EPA, 2016b). Overall, the Pennsylvania report “highlights the value Agency (EPA) examined the contamination of drinking of site-specific background data” and that we are “hampered by Awater by hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, in Northeastern knowledge gaps such as a lack of baseline data” (Hurdle, 2015). and Southwestern Pennsylvania, as well as Raton Basin, Colorado, Aquatic citizen scientists, or volunteer monitors, can help Killdeer, North Dakota, and Wise County, Texas (EPA, 2016a). In fill in these baseline data gaps because they contribute usable data Northeastern PA, the EPA found that nine of the 36 drinking water to local communities, states, and/or scientists (Miller-Rushing et al., wells studied had traces of methane and ethane, which may have 2012). Management agencies may use their data to identify which migrated from fracking activity areas. The study also found that there waterbodies to prioritize for cleanup or management efforts (Miller- were elevated chloride levels in a pond that was adjacent to a well Rushing et al., 2012). In many cases, volunteers collect data before, pad. The pond was not a source of drinking water, but it is still proof during, and after drilling occurs, which helps them understand if of fracking contamination and could have other detrimental effects their local waterways are being contaminated or negatively impacted (EPA, 2016b). In Southwestern PA, there were increased levels of by fracking. chloride in groundwater near a site used to store drilling wastewater It is clear that aquatic citizen scientists are important
4 Stream of Consciousness environmental watchdogs and that their data are a valuable assets. • Recreational centers The key to having a successful monitoring program is the effective • Community centers recruitment and retention of volunteers who contribute to long- • Post offices term data sets. There is plenty of research about volunteer groups • Doctors’ offices in general, with some about citizen science groups, which found that • Libraries (Community Tool Box, 2016). people volunteer because they want to: • Educational sessions and meetings 1. Contribute to their communities • Website advertisements 2. Make social connections • Coordinating with schools (US Department of Health and Human 3. Interact with diverse organizations Services, 2005). 4. Protect the environment While these are all important ways to recruit volunteers, 5. Enjoy nature, and for retention is even more important because it is time-intensive to find 6. Altruistic and nostalgic reasons (Roggenbuck et al., 2001, Khoo and train new monitors. Therefore, it is important to keep as many et al., 2011, Haivas et al., 2012, Alender, 2016, Ruseva et al., volunteers interested as possible. Through my research, I found 2016). that follow-up emails and meetings, stressing the importance of Numerous studies show us that volunteers’ motivations are baseline data, having a volunteer coordinator, showing volunteers closely linked to recruitment and retention. If volunteer activities their data and the uses of the data, and having a database to house address volunteers’ interests and motivations, they are more likely the data are characteristic of successful monitoring programs. to continue with the program (Clary et al., 1998, Khoo et al., 2011, Other research that specifically focused on Virginia Save Our Haivas et al., 2012, Imizcoz et al., 2013, Alender, 2016). Streams (SOS) volunteers found that they appreciated having For my senior thesis, I interviewed aquatic citizen annual meetings, being recognized for their contributions, having a scientists about why they start and what motivates them to volunteer coordinator, and increasing the use of citizen data by state continue voluntarily monitoring their local waterways. In many of regulatory and protection agencies. Another interesting finding was the interviews, volunteers talked about how they heard about the that volunteers enjoyed when SOS invited guest speakers to discuss monitoring programs that they participate in. The most commonly water and environmental quality and when there were field spot- mentioned recruitment strategies were word of mouth, newspaper checks to assure proper data collection (Roggenbuck et al., 2001). advertisements, and festivals/events. Other research backs upmy A study of Alabama Water Watch (AWW) volunteers found findings, suggesting these recruitment strategies: that large, successful programs were typically coordinated through • Radio, newspaper, and newsletter announcements universities, extension systems, governmental agencies, and/or • Bulletins nonprofit organizations. Groups with these connections tended to • Specifically posted at: outlast those without them. The strongest programs also consisted of • Laundromats retirees who were deeply interested in water quality. The researchers • Grocery stores found, however, that it was important to try to recruit younger • High schools volunteers through the development of curriculum for classrooms, • Universities with the hope that students would grow up and monitor as adults. • Places of worship AWW also developed the program in hopes that it would get young
Volunteers choose their shale gas monitoring sites.
2017 5 people outside and help to reverse the trend of decreased desire • Showing volunteers how their data are used to volunteer in the United States (Deutsch & Cordova, 2015). The • Sending thank-you notes program also ensures that its training activities are hands-on, mostly • Giving participants a certificate outdoors, and highly interactive in order to keep people interested • Publishing data in the local newspaper (Deutsch & Cordova, 2015). • Giving out awards The study found that overall, in order to maintain long- • Overall making sure volunteers know they are valued (Packer & term viability of a program, these are aspects of successful retention Hewett, 2003). strategies: While conducting my research, I found that most volunteers • Attention to volunteers thought that recognition was important but that it definitely was not • Collection of credible data a reason why they decided to monitor or to continue; volunteers • Having an online database seem to be intrinsically motivated. This intrinsic motivation, however, • Having trainers and workshops stems from extrinsic factors that pushed them toward wanting to get • Forming nongovernmental partnerships (Deutsch & Cordova, involved in a monitoring program. In other words, volunteers would 2015). not have monitored their waterways if they were not concerned The use of a coordinator to arrange workshops and plan about fracking contamination or other potential threats to water meetings provides attention to volunteers, and approval by the EPA quality. of a quality assurance plan ensures the collection of credible data, Overall, most volunteers are motivated to protect the which helped AWW enhance the use of their data by governmental environment because they consider themselves stewards of the agencies and professionals. environment and want to contribute to protecting their local Other resources also support the idea that recognizing resources. Volunteer monitoring is their way of doing this. I would like volunteers for their contributions is important. This can be through: to say thank you to all of the volunteers I interviewed for participating • Media coverage in my research and thank you to all aquatic citizen scientists; I truly • Kick-off events appreciate and admire your dedication to water quality monitoring.
Volunteers conduct a visual assessment.
References Alender, B. (2016). Understanding Volunteer Motivations to Participate in Citizen Science Projects: A Deeper Look at Water Quality Monitoring. JCOM, 15, 1-19. Community Tool Box (2016). Recruiting Volunteers. Retrieved from http://ctb.ku.edu/en/table-of-contents/structure/volunteers/recruiting/main Clary, E.G., Ridge, R.D., Stukas, A.A., Snyder, M., Copeland, J., Haugen, J., & Miene, P. (1998). Understanding and Assessing the Motivations of Volunteers: A Functional Approach. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 74(6), 1516-1530. Deutsch, W.G., & Cordova, S.S. (2015). Trends, Challenges, and Responses of a 20-year, Volunteer Monitoring Program in Alabama. Ecology and Society, 20(3), 1-10. ) Environmental Protection Agency (2016a). Hydraulic Fracturing Study Fact Sheet. Retrieved from https://www.epa.gov/hfstudy/hydraulic-fracturing-study-fact-sheets Environmental Protection Agency (2016b). Retrospective Case Studies – Northeastern Pennsylvania. Retrieved from https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2015-06/ documents/final_nepa_fact_sheet_6_03_508_km_0.pdf Environmental Protection Agency (2016c). Retrospective Case Studies – Southwestern Pennsylvania. Retrieved from https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2015-06/ documents/swpa_fact_sheet_6_01_508_km_1.pdf Haivas, S., Hofmans, J., & Pepermans, R. (2012). Self-determination Theory as a Framework for Exploring the Impact of the Organizational Context on Volunteer Motivation: A Study of Romanian Volunteers. Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Quarterly, 20(10), 1-20. Imizcoz, E.F., Servera-Frances, D., & Moreno, F.A. (2013). Value, Satisfaction and Loyalty in Volunteerism. Application to a Religious Megaevent. Market Economics and Business Journal, 44(3), 109-131. Khoo, S., Surujlal, J., & Engelhorn, R. (2011). Motivation of Volunteers at Disability Sports Events: A Comparative Study of Volunteers in Malaysia, South Africa and the United States. African Journal for Physical, Health Education, Recreation and Dance, 1, 356-371. Miller-Rushing, A., Primack, R., & Bonney, R. (2012). The history of public participation in ecological research. Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment, 10, 285-290. Packer, P., & Hewitt, L. (2003). Considerations for Starting a Water Quality Monitoring Program in Your Community. Part I: Steps Involved. Retrieved from http://wiatri.net/ CBM/Resources/Images/StartWQM.pdf Roggenbuck, J.W., Haas, S.C., Hall, T.E., & Hull, R.B. (May 2001). Motivation, Retention, and Program Recommendations of Save Our Streams Volunteers. Retrieved from https://vtechworks.lib.vt.edu/bitstream/handle/10919/49465/VWRRC_sr200119.pdf?sequence=1 Ruseva, T.B., Farmer, J.R., & Chancellor, C. (2016). Networking for Conservation: Social Capital and Perceptions of Organizational Success among Land Trust Boards. Ecology and Society, 21(2), 50-67. US Department of Health and Human Services (2005). Successful Strategies for Recruiting, Training, and Utilizing Volunteers. Retrieved from https://www.samhsa.gov/sites/ default/files/volunteer_handbook.pdf
6 Stream of Consciousness Chesapeake Bay Policy: 34 Years and Counting By: Helen Schlimm
Chesapeake Bay Trivia Quiz*: 1. Approximately how large is the Chesapeake Bay watershed? A) 58,000 sq. mi. B) 64,000 sq. mi. C) 70,000 sq. mi. D) 76,000 sq. mi. 2. How many states are part of the watershed? A) 4 B) 5 C) 6 D) 7 3. The Pennsylvania portion makes up approximately what percentage of the total watershed? A) 25% B) 30% C) 35% D) 40% 4. What is the largest tributary to the Chesapeake Bay? A) Potomac B) James C) Rappahannock D) Susquehanna 5. What is the latest State of the Bay health index grade (CBF, 2016)? A) C- B) C+ C) D+ D) F *Answers at end
he Chesapeake Bay is the nation’s health to the present day. Policy response to 1980s, after the Environmental Protection largest estuary and holds tremendous this degradation has been varied and tells a Agency’s (EPA) Clean Water Act (CWA) environmental, economic, and cultural story of mixed success throughout the past had been in place for about a decade. This T fundamental and groundbreaking piece of value for the region. Unfortunately, the Bay thirty-plus years. This article will navigate the has suffered from many decades of rapid Chesapeake Bay policy timeline and outline federal environmental legislation created development and unsustainable resource future policy for the watershed. regulations for the effluent of point-source use in its watershed, which ultimately Serious recognition of the extent polluters (i.e. drains and pipes) through the deteriorated water quality and ecological of pollution in the Bay began in the early National Pollutant Discharge Elimination
Blue crabs are treasured symbols of the Chesapeake Bay. Photo: “Blue crabs in the bushel” by Benjamin Wilson is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.
2017 7 The first Chesapeake Bay Agreement is signed on December 9, 1983. Photo: Courtesy of ChesapeakeStat, retrieved from http://www.chesapeakestat. com/overview.
System (NPDES) (EPA, 2016a). The CWA government level are Maryland’s Critical and re-established federal commitments framework, combined with public concern Area Act of 1984 and Virginia’s Chesapeake to the cause of restoration and long-term about the decline in once-productive Preservation Act of 1988. Both documents protection. Additionally, the EO called for fisheries and noticeable water pollution exemplified cooperation between state the Chesapeake Executive Council to create (trash in the water, abnormal color, bad odor and local government authorities but were two-year progress milestones to accelerate etc.), led to the first multi-state, multi-level ultimately limited geographically. A Critical restoration and increase accountability of governmental cooperative Chesapeake Bay Area was identified as any land within actions taken by different jurisdictions and Agreement of 1983. Representatives from 1,000 meters of the mean high water line stakeholders throughout the watershed. The Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania, DC, EPA, and of tidal bay waters in Maryland, and a EO also required the definition of new tools the newly created Chesapeake Bay Program commission was established to oversee and actions available to restore water quality (CBP) formed the Chesapeake Executive the development and implementation of and the description of changes to already- Council. The purpose of this council was to local land-use decision making that would existing regulations, programs and policies. create an Implementation Committee, which potentially adversely impact the Bay (DNR, In particular, agricultural conservation and would meet when necessary to coordinate, 2016). In Virginia, primary responsibility stormwater management practices, which develop, and evaluate management plans for land-use decisions in regards to water would explicitly address nonpoint pollution (CBP, 2016a). This original, one-page pledge quality impacts was delegated to local and sources, were focused on. Potential impacts lacked specificity, regulation, agreement, county jurisdictions (DEQ, 2016). The shift of climate change on the Bay were to be enforcement, and a timeline. Such in policy to a local-level focus culminated assessed and a mitigation strategy was to limitations prompted amended versions in the 1995 Local Government Partnership be developed accordingly. Lastly, the EO of the Agreement in 1987 and 1992. The Initiative, which involved more than 1,600 called for expansion of public access to updated 1987 version included numerical local jurisdictions throughout the watershed the Bay, conservation of landscapes within targets for nutrient pollution reduction like (CBP, 2016a). the watershed, more results-oriented 40% nitrogen and phosphorus reduction The Chesapeake 2000 Agreement environmental research, and expanded goals by the year 2000. This agreement also was a renewed effort to address and monitoring in the Bay and the streams promoted education and citizen stewardship remediate pollution in the new century, and rivers throughout the watershed of the Bay; however, it still lacked crucial after two decades of minimal progress (ChesapeakeStat, 2016). policy enforcement points, was not in and improvement. For the first time, the In order to start realistically agreement with all watershed states (NY, tributary “headwater” states of New achieving these objectives, after three WV, and DE were not yet involved), and did York, Delaware and West Virginia joined decades of ultimately unsuccessful attempts, not address nonpoint pollution sources like the agreement. More than 100 goals for the Chesapeake Bay Total Maximum Daily agricultural fields or urban and suburban restoration and conservation were set, but Load (TMDL) was established in 2010. runoff (CBP, 2016a). Nonpoint pollution in a persistent lack of enforcement coupled The TMDL represents a comprehensive the form of agricultural runoff is the largest with an over-ambitious deadline of 2010 “pollution diet” that aims to restore water polluter of the Bay, contributing roughly 40% ultimately stymied action and made quality and healthy environments for living of the total nitrogen load and 50% of total the agreement ineffective (CBP, 2016a). resources in the Chesapeake Bay and the phosphorus inputs to the Bay each year (CBP, Finally, in 2009, President Barack Obama region’s streams, creeks, and rivers. This 2016b). signed Executive Order (EO) 13508, which policy framework sets a deadline of 2025 Two notable policies at a local recognized the Bay as a national treasure and includes fiscal consequences for failing
8 Stream of Consciousness President Barack Obama signed Executive Order 13508 on May 12, 2009, recognizing the Chesapeake Bay as a national treasure. Photo: “PRESIDENTIAL DESK” by summonedbyfells is licensed under CC BY 2.0.
to meet the two-year milestone deadline. 2017 sediment reduction target. Maryland measurable targets that fall in line with Specifically, the TMDL set limits that add did not meet its 2015 nitrogen target but is the WIPs and the TMDL (CBP, 2016a). This up to a 25% reduction in nitrogen, 24% on track to achieve all 2017 targets. Virginia latest agreement follows the Chesapeake reduction in phosphorus, and 20% reduction did not meet its 2015 sediment target Bay Foundation’s (CBF) most recent State in sediment (EPA, 2016b). In order to but is also on track to meet all of its 2017 of the Bay report, which indicates a grade reach these goals, state, county, and local targets (CBF, 2016a). A major challenge for of overall health for the bay and watershed, jurisdictions create and enforce Watershed Pennsylvania is the Susquehanna River, broken down into various categories. In Implementation Plans (WIPs). The first phase which provides nearly half of the Bay’s fresh 2016, the Bay earned a grade of 34, which is of WIPs was set in 2010 and the second phase water per year, in addition to nearly half of equivalent to a C-, and a two-point increase was set in 2012. Practices should be in place its nitrogen load and one quarter of its loads from the 2014 report (CBF, 2016b). It has to meet 60% of the final targets by 2017, for phosphorus and sediment (CBP, 2016c). increased 6 points since 2008, but there when there will be a Midpoint Assessment Due to the notorious difficulties of regulating is clearly still work to be done. Ideally, the to determine if states and jurisdictions are nonpoint sources, agricultural pollution in 2014 Watershed Agreement will provide a on target. The Midpoint Assessment will also the Susquehanna remains elevated and successful regulatory framework, coupled determine Phase III WIPs, which will be set currently poses the largest threat to Bay with the continuation of the TMDL through in 2018 and focus on achieving remaining water quality. the Midpoint Assessment this year, to target reductions by 2025 (EPA, 2016c). As The regulatory framework of the achieve real progress and recovery in the of 2016, Pennsylvania fell short of its 2015 EO and the TMDL backs the most recent health of the Chesapeake Bay and its rivers goals for nitrogen and sediment reduction, Chesapeake Watershed Agreement, signed and streams throughout the watershed. and will not meet its goals for nitrogen and in 2014. It sets 10 comprehensive goals phosphorus for 2017, but it will reach its for the watershed, with time-bound and
References Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) (2016a). Blueprint Progress: Tracking Milestones. Retrieved from http://www.cbf.org/how-we-save-the-bay/ chesapeake-clean-water-blueprint/pollution-limits/blueprint-progress-tracking.html Chesapeake Bay Foundation (CBF) (2016b). State of the Bay. Retrieved from http://www.cbf.org/about-the-bay/state-of-the-bay-report-2016. Chesapeake Bay Program (CBP) (2016c). Bay History. Retrieved from http://www.chesapeakebay.net/history Chesapeake Bay Program (CBP) (2016d). Agriculture. Retrieved from https://www.chesapeakebay.net/issues/agriculture Chesapeake Bay Program (CBP) (2016c). Nutrients. Retrieved from https://www.chesapeakebay.net/issues/nutrients ChesapeakeStat (2016). Overview. Retrieved from http://www.chesapeakestat.com/overview Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) (2016a). Summary of the Clean Water Act. Retrieved from https://www.epa.gov/laws-regulations/summary-clean- water-act Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) (2016b). Chesapeake Bay Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL). Retrieved from https://www.epa.gov/chesapeake- bay-tmdl Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) (2016c). Chesapeake Bay Watershed Implementation Plans (WIPs). Retrieved from https://www.epa.gov/ chesapeake-bay-tmdl/chesapeake-bay-watershed-implementation-plans-wips Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) (2016). Critical Area Commission. Retrieved from http://dnr.maryland.gov/criticalarea/Pages/default. aspx Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) (2016). Chesapeake Bay Preservation Act. Retrieved from http://www.deq.virginia.gov/Programs/ Water/ChesapeakeBay.aspx Answers to Trivia Quiz: B, C, D, D, A
2017 9 Exploring the Chesapeake Monitoring Cooperative By: Abby Kaija
he Chesapeake Monitoring Cooperative future environmental degradation in the Bay New York, as well as sharing its expertise (CMC) is the first partnership where watershed. and experience in volunteer water quality Tcommunity collected data are being The United States Environmental monitoring and creating Quality Assurance used to augment a federal dataset to better Protection Agency (EPA) financially supports Project Plans (QAPPs). The University of understand the health of the Chesapeake the Chesapeake Bay Program (Chesapeake Maryland Center for Environmental Science Bay. The CMC is helping to foster a network of Bay Program [CBP], 2016). In October 2014, is focusing on data interpretation and volunteers and non-traditional water quality the Chesapeake Bay Program released a communication to the greater public on the monitoring groups within the Chesapeake request for proposal (RFP), setting forth the database. With regard to research and data Bay watershed to gain a better understanding need for a compilation of data collected by on macroinvertebrates, the Izaak Walton of watershed health. The goal is to ensure various entities for federal use. A culmination League of America is focusing on contributing that all reputable data will inform watershed of water quality and macroinvertebrate data water quality and macroinvertebrate data management decisions and restoration throughout the whole watershed would (ACB, 2016). The CBP hired Chesapeake efforts (Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay allow the federal government to make better- Environmental Communications (CEC) to [ACB], 2016). The CMC is composed of informed decisions when approaching future design an accessible database to store all organizations at the forefront of the aquatic laws and regulations. The Chesapeake Bay data collected under this project. Similar monitoring community in the Chesapeake Program grant awarded 2.4 million dollars to Trout Unlimited and ALLARM’s online Bay region: the Alliance for Aquatic Resource over the course of six years. The Alliance databases, the expected parameters for Monitoring (ALLARM), Izaak Walton League for the Chesapeake Bay, as the principal data input include a suite of water quality of America, University of Maryland Center investigator of this grant, proposed an outline parameters (temperature, dissolved for Environmental Science, and the Alliance and detailed the roles of each contributing oxygen, pH, conductivity, nutrients etc.) for the Chesapeake Bay. organization. Six months after submitting and macroinvertebrates. Jinnie Monismith, The CMC partners, like many the RFP, the Alliance for the Chesapeake assistant director of ALLARM, commented organizations, are researching, collecting Bay began its role as project leader. ALLARM on the importance of the CMC: “there data, and engaging communities in order became responsible for representing the is no database right now that takes data to understand problems and overcome geographical region of Pennsylvania and collected from such a large region using
Nick Long ‘19 training an Otsego County Conservation Association (OCCA) staff member how to use CMC-approved monitoring equipment.
References Chesapeake Bay Program. (2016). Retrieved February 2016 from http://www.chesapeakebay.net Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay. (2016). Retrieved February 2016 from allianceforthebay.org University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science. (2016). Retrieved February 2016 from http://www.ian.umces.edu Chesapeake Bay Program Newsletter. (November 17, 2016) Retrieved from mail chimp
10 Stream of Consciousness the same method and compiles it into the observations and measurements from water The SDP involves communities in creating same place,” (personal interview, January quality and macroinvertebrate monitoring realistic water monitoring plans including 2016) The collaborative approach of the groups and organizations throughout procedures, logistics, data interpretation CMC allows each organization to contribute different watershed regions. The purpose and the basic who, what, where, when, and specific parts to the whole in order to create of the CMC is to provide programmatic and how’s of baseline monitoring. Organizations a comprehensive water quality overview of technical support to interested entities and like ALLARM guide monitoring groups the entire Chesapeake Bay watershed. community water quality monitoring groups, through this process and provide water A key factor in the CMC is how the and to provide communities with the tools quality monitoring training workshops. The partnerships are leveraging each other’s to identify and search for solutions to local goal of the training is to equip communities strengths. Julie Vastine, director of ALLARM, problems. In addition, the CMC needs to with the tools needed to answer questions states: “the amount of monitoring happening provide outreach due to the expanse of the about their watershed. Julie Vastine tags on: in the Chesapeake Bay could be essential to watershed and urgent state of water quality “we want to empower communities to find answering Chesapeake monitoring questions in the Chesapeake Bay (CMC, 2016). answers themselves. Communities that help on a state and federal level,” (personal The citizen science-based approach contribute data have community access,” interview, January 2016). The integration of allows community members and the public (personal interview, January 2016). Engaging these data into the CBP monitoring networks to collect and analyze data as well as in the CMC can provide communities will provide additional cost-effective data collaborate with organizations like ALLARM with free trainings, assistance in acquiring and information that supports shared and the Izaak Walton League of America. monitoring equipment, data interpretation, decision-making and adaptive management Existing water quality monitoring groups database use, and other skills to aid in by the CBP partners focused on restoring the have the opportunity to share findings on resolving water quality questions. Chesapeake Bay and its watershed (CMC, the database. Furthermore, an interested The data collected will impact future 2016). community can establish their own Bay policy decisions on state and federal The mission of the CMC is to water quality monitoring group in order levels. The organizations that comprise the “work with diverse partners to collect to contribute data. According to Jinnie Chesapeake Monitoring Cooperative offer and share new and existing data. Through Monismith, “community groups open the individual advancements to the six-year this collaboration, we aim to develop door for education and raise awareness grant, with the overarching goal of improving a comprehensive understanding of the about water quality related issues,” (personal the health of the Chesapeake Bay watershed Chesapeake Bay watershed health,” (CBP, interview, January 2016) and preserving this critical ecosystem for 2016). The CMC intends to deliver the Under the umbrella of the CMC, future generations. collective findings through the Chesapeake the first step for monitoring groups is to Data Explorer. This database compiles all follow the study design process (SDP).
Nick Long ‘19 training an Otsego County Conservation Association (OCCA) staff member how to use CMC-approved monitoring equipment. Juliet Risko ‘19 training an OCCA staff member how to use CMC-approved monitoring equipment.
2017 11 ALLARM’s Connection to Social Justice: Educating and Engaging By: Hayat Rasul
rom the beginning of my involvement with ALLARM, I have in situations where communities feel as though they are not heard appreciated our social justice1 efforts and empowerment of by key stakeholders. Conducting workshops allows people to develop Fcommunities to use science as a tool to assess stream health. the scientific skills to assess water quality in diverse ways. This is es- Our goal is to “amplify local action for the protection of Pennsylvania pecially important when there is a lack of data on local watersheds. watersheds by empowering communities with scientific knowledge” Volunteer monitoring allows for transparency between the health of (ALLARM, A History). ALLARM highlights that science, data, and civic a local stream and the citizens it affects. Additionally, listening to the engagement assist the growth of communities. Despite the differing diverse points of view of the monitors and community members that backgrounds and personal interests of volunteer monitors, all are attend workshops is necessary in order to understand how ALLARM passionate about keeping their local watersheds healthy and alive. can respond to the needs of those interested in keeping their water- ALLARM emphasizes that one does not need a PhD in the sciences to ways healthy. In turn, community members are maintaining a safe ensure the health of local streams. environment to live in. From community workshops to distributing Water Facts on Beyond stream monitoring, ALLARM conducts various edu- campus, ALLARM employs a diverse range of tools to raise awareness cational events. For instance, the annual rain barrel workshops allow and build capacity around social justice issues. I was curious about for the Carlisle community to learn about the benefits of collecting the intersection between community-based science and social jus- stormwater runoff and keeping streets clear of debris in order to pre- tice. Volunteer monitoring and citizen science can be seen as social vent flooding. At the end of this workshop, we provide attendees justice work, especially as communities build their scientific skillsets with a free rain barrel to collect stormwater and use it for their own and apply them to their local environments. In an interview I con- homes. This method of accessible education is critical in understand- ducted with Julie Vastine, director of ALLARM, she states that volun- ing how local communities can make a difference in their sphere of teer monitoring and data collection efforts allow individuals to “in- influence. Walking through town and seeing rain barrels on the sides crease the volume of their voice in order to protect their streams and of houses is encouraging to myself as a member of an environmental their community” (personal interview). This is especially important organization as well as to the future of the health of local waterways
WATER FACTS WATER FACTS WATER FACTS Winter - Dakota Access Pipeline Summer - EPA November - Flint, Michigan https://www.flickr.com/photos/michemhs/24234972202 https://www.flickr.com/photos/diversey/29357938502 Photo: Professor of Biology, Gene Wingert The Dakota Access Pipeline and Standing Rock EPA and the Chesapeake Bay Updates on the Water Crisis In July of 2016, The US Army Corps of Engineers was permitted to build the Dakota The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been in the news frequently in 2017, Last fall, elevated blood lead levels were found in Flint, MI after the city’s drinking Access Pipeline (DAPL) spanning 1,172 miles to carry bakken crude oil, oil from the largest from reduced budget scenarios to the proposed bill to eliminate the agency. For example, water source was switched to the Flint River. A state of emergency was declared in reservoir of deposits in the United States, from North Dakota to Illinois. The pipeline will President Trump seeks to reduce EPA’s budget from $8.2 billion to $2.6 billion. Following January 2016 and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is now overseeing the pass within a one-half mile distance from the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe Reservation borders, the budget cuts of the EPA, money is also cut from the Chesapeake Bay Program. The pro- water supply, which has been switched back to Lake Huron. which is home and historic land to the indigenous Dakota and Lakota people. The pipeline gram was created in 1983 and is a 73 million-dollar cleanup effort for the largest estuary in would pass through ancient and traditional lands, putting many sacred landmarks in danger. Flint residents continue to be advised to not drink tap water, with EPA offering free the United States, spanning over 6 states and D.C. The state of Pennsylvania is currently be- The Standing Rock Sioux Tribe opposes the DAPL because they, “must honor [their] ances- bottled water, filters, and home water testing kits. This October, EPA claimed the hind goals set in the Chesapeake Clean Water Blueprint and the Chesapeake Bay Foundation tors and protect [...] sacred sites and precious waters.” status of the Flint Drinking Water System is improving, with decreased lead levels in believes anti-pollution efforts will limit progress even more. The Chesapeake Bay Program, In September of 2016, the Obama Administration paused construction of the DAPL in along with other efforts to improve water quality and ecosystems, will rely on local govern- drinking water between August 2015-July 2016. regions within a close proximity to the Reservation to allow for input by the Standing Rock ments to continue running. Smaller organizations who receive grants from the EPA or pass Sioux Tribe. The Tribe sought a halt in construction for their interests as well as for those Testing of Flint’s drinking water continues. While EPA has published methods for through funds from the EPA to the state, will also be affected by the budget cuts. living in towns along the Missouri River. Communities are concerned about oil spills and habi- safely using Flint’s water for washing clothes, dishes, and showering, many residents tat destruction similar to the Belle Fourche Pipeline spill that occurred in December. Recent- do not trust the water supply and continue not to use local tap water. This decrease ly, President Donald Trump expedited environmental reviews and approvals in order to move in home tap water use and hand-washing has been attributed to a recent spread of forward with the construction of the pipeline. the bacterial illness shigellosis, potentially deepening residents’ mistrust in federal efforts.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/fibonacciblue/29554803662 Future Health of the Bay Dickinson Stands with Standing Rock The EPA annual funding cuts reduces the Chesapeake Bay Program budget by 93%. facebook.com/DsonForFlint/ The health of the Chesapeake Bay has risen to a C- on its biennial eco-report card, however, Dickinson Stands with Standing Rock is an on-campus group of students that strive improvements in Bay health will be limited if EPA cannot give grants to states to do restora- to educate peers about controversies with the Dakota Access Pipeline construction at the Dickinsonians For Flint tion and monitoring. The Bay program will now rely heavier on voluntary efforts to continue Standing Rock Sioux Reservation. Students have collected winter gear and first-aid supplies restoration and provide data in order to continue assessing the health of the Bay and its Last spring volunteers with Dickinson’s Center for Service, Spirituality and Social for Sacred Stone Camp, a spirit camp founded along the pipeline’s route. For more infor- tributaries. mation about the student group, you can find “Dickinson Stands with Standing Justice volunteered at Mission of Hope in Flint, MI during a service trip t i c Re s and delivered over $1,000 raised by Dickinsonians for Flint. a o u Sources: u r Rock” on Facebook. q c ALLARM & CMC http://bit.ly/2nJOHkh A e More information: facebook.com/DsonForFlint/ Sources: NY Times http://nyti.ms/2mKscrv r M o DAPL Facts http://bit.ly/2diGPkR o Washington Post http://wapo.st/2oa10ma Sources: f
NY Times http://nyti.ms/2biBKch n
DELMARVA Now http://delmarvane.ws/2or- e i
Sacred Stone Camp http://bit.ly/2ghmnR1 epa.gov/flint c t Rpbr EPA o
n
CNN http://cnn.it/2ejGrTq r
EPA http://bit.ly/1S3mc4d New York Times j.mp/nytflint a i i
n
http://cnn.it/2j1Aixk l
ABC http://bit.ly/2pdKCVa Michigan Disease Surveillance System bit.ly/mdssreport l g Stand With Standing Rock http://bit.ly/2fYptsJ Detroit Free Press j.mp/freepressmi A e @ALLARMwater | dickinson.edu/ALLARM @ALLARMwater | dickinson.edu/ALLARM @ALLARMwater | dickinson.edu/ALLARM st. 1986 Past issues of Water Facts. Left to right: “EPA and the Chesapeake Bay;” “The Dakota Access Pipeline and Standing Rock;” “Update on the Water Crisis.”
1 Self-defined as a movement to end forms of oppression and empower marginalized groups
12 Stream of Consciousness Students learning about oil and gas extraction in Greene County, Pennsylvania from Veronica Coptis, Center for Coalfied Justice.
like the Conodoguinet Creek and the Letort Spring Run tributary. this to inform those who do not normally seek out news on environ- Further, ALLARM utilizes social media as well as monthly mental issues. and annual newsletters to keep the Dickinson College and larger, re- Ultimately, environmental education and transparency gional communities up-to-date. Water Facts, informational posters among communities that are concerned about the health of them- put up across the Dickinson College campus are what I have been selves and their local streams are significant to the safety and sus- using to inform the campus community of local and national water tainability of local governments and environments. ALLARM ensures justice issues. Topics have included the Flint Water Crisis, the con- that, while a degree in environmental science, geology, biology, and struction of the Dakota Access Pipeline, and how to keep waterways other sciences is helpful, it is not necessary when a problem is iden- healthy during the cold and flu season by avoiding ingredients in tified in a local waterway and a solution is possible by obtaining the products, such as triclosan. It is also important to utilize media like proper tools.
Director Julie Vastine teaching Dickinson College students about ALLARM’s work and different citizen science models. References ALLARM, A History
2017 13 Stormwater Regulation in Carlisle By: Tom O’Donnell
A street in Carlisle flooded after a rain event.
ince the Federal Water Pollution Control Act was passed ity must take to address their stormwater. The foundation of mod- in 1948, multiple federal, regional, and local organizations ern stormwater regulation is the Clean Water Act (CWA), passed in Shave introduced legislation to regulate stormwater runoff 1972 during the Nixon Administration. The CWA was one of the first (Environmental Protection Agency [EPA], 2015b). Stormwater is majorly influential pieces of environmental protection legislature, as the runoff produced after a precipitation event such as rainfall or it established nationwide water quality standards for surface water snowfall. It is important to regulate the stormwater that flows (this law did not address groundwater) that organizations and com- through a watershed because it can pick up various substances and panies are required to adhere to (EPA, 2015a). Additionally, the Act chemicals along its flow path that can affect and pollute the water banned the discharge of point-source pollution into surface waters. quality of the stream into which it eventually drains. For example, Point-source pollution can be attributed to a single, definite origin, the nutrients that stormwater might pick up from lawn fertilizer on as opposed to nonpoint-source pollution, which comes from multi- a residential sidewalk may cause a spike in algal productivity in local ple inputs and therefore cannot be attributed to an individual origin. streams or lakes. Although stormwater is the product of natural and The CWA additionally facilitated the construction of sewage treat- uncontrollable weather processes, its regulation is vital to preserving ment plants through a construction grants program (EPA, 2015a). the health of our local watersheds. Nation-wide, federal regulations such as the CWA eventually set the Different types of water and environmental regulations at stage for further regional regulation in local communities. the federal, regional, and local levels drive the actions a municipal- When a drop of water falls above Carlisle, it hits the ground
14 Stream of Consciousness and flows into one of 993 storm drains in Carlisle. It then flows into • Illicit Discharge Detection & Elongation the LeTort Spring Run, the Conodoguinet Creek, the Susquehanna • Pollution Prevention & Good Housekeeping River, the Chesapeake Bay, and then finally into the Atlantic Ocean. These Minimum Control Measures serve as a baseline to But how is all of this water regulated as it flows through the water- guide organizations through the implementation of productive shed? stormwater practices within their respective regions of authority In the Borough of Carlisle, stormwater is regulated at the (StormwaterPA, 2012). At the end of the permit’s duration, one must local level by the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) prove that the amount of stormwater runoff produced after the pe- conveyance. Because Carlisle has a unique sewer system for rainwa- riod is less than the amount of runoff produced on that same area of ter runoff, stormwater is not treated before it flows into the LeTort land before the period with quantifiable supporting data. For exam- like other forms of municipal waste. Consequently, the Borough is ple, a development project’s success in stormwater reduction could subject to the requirements of the MS4 to protect the health of our be defined as producing 20% less stormwater from pre- to post-de- watershed. velopment. The MS4 is a facet of the second phase of the National One of the primary initiatives of the Alliance for- Aquat Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES), a permit granting ic Resource Monitoring (ALLARM) is to help the Borough maintain the drainage of untreated stormwater into public waters (Stormwa- compliance with the requirements of the MS4 permit through pub- terONE, 2016). The MS4 was enacted in 2002 and is enforced by the lic education and outreach. The ALLARM Watershed Coordinator Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (Stormwa- Stormwater Team publishes informational resources and organizes terPA, 2012). The MS4 aims to minimize the negative environmental volunteer-based community events aimed at educating the local impacts of stormwater runoff through a series of Minimum Control community about stormwater and stormwater reduction. The col- Measures: lective efforts of Carlisle citizens to engage in stream-conscious hab- • Public Education & Outreach its and to reduce stormwater in their personal practices has played • Construction Site Runoff Control a great role in the Borough’s success in complying with the MS4 and • Public Involvement & Participation fostering an enthusiastic watershed stewardship. • Post-construction Stormwater Management
A storm drain in Carlisle covered in leaf debris. If storm drains are blocked, this causes rainwater to continue to flow over impervious sur- faces, which increases the amount of time that water may be in contact with pollution.
References StormwaterONE (2016). What is Stormwater Management? Retrieved from http://stormwaterone.com/stormwater-management StormwaterPA (2012). MS4 Program: Regulations. Retrieved from http://www.stormwaterpa.org/ms4-program.html Environmental Protection Agency (2015a). History of the Clean Water Act. Retrieved from https://www.epa.gov/laws-regulations/history-clean-water-act Environmental Protection Agency (2015b). Water Enforcement. Retrieved from https://www.epa.gov/enforcement/water-enforcement
2017 15 ALLARM’s Latest Equipment Comparability Study By: Allison Curley
ith the support of a grant from the Consortium for Scientific equipment and reevaluated old ones so that we could stay up-to-date Assistance to Watersheds (C-SAW), ALLARM conducts in recommending the highest quality and most suitable equipment equipment comparability studies that informs which tools to monitoring groups. To this end, we look for accuracy (how close W were our results to the known standard solution?), precision (were and supplies are most practical and accessible for volunteer aquatic monitors. Three ALLARM students, Natalie McNeill ’17, Yueli Liang the results from our individual replicates close together?), and ’18, and I performed 792 replicates with 18 kits and meters last reproducibility (did different lab coordinators obtain similar results?). summer for the organization’s largest individual comparability study. Additionally, we noted the price, how long it takes to perform the This study is particularly significant considering that the Chesapeake procedure, whether the equipment utilizes hazardous reagents that Monitoring Cooperative trains volunteers in aquatic monitoring as require special storage and disposal, if it requires calibration with part of their initiative to incorporate citizen science into Chesapeake standards, and if it is relatively easy to use. Bay restoration goals. ALLARM values comparability studies like this All of these criteria affect whether or not equipment will be for a volunteer monitoring audience. suitable for the needs of a particular volunteer monitor. Some may Of the 18 pieces of equipment, three are for nitrates, three have certain time or economic limits, some may be concerned chiefly are for phosphates, and twelve are for pH. Nitrates and phosphates with the highest accuracy and precision available, and some may be are of particular interest given Chesapeake Bay pollution reduction concerned about storing and using hazardous reagents. By working goals, and many local monitors test for pH. In our comparability closely with the specific volunteer or group to evaluate their goals studies, multiple lab coordinators evaluated new pieces of and priorities, we can use the data collected in the comparability study to recommend the optimal equipment for their needs while
Yueli Liang ‘18 (left), Natalie McNeill ‘17, and Allison Curley ‘19 conducting comparability study tests. working within any limitations. measured values, the time it took to complete the procedure, and Before testing could begin, several of the meters required information about the test sample. We also noted other important calibration using standard calibration solutions. Then, concentrated observations or impressions of the equipment’s usability. These nitrate and phosphate standards were diluted to a series of values included how easy the equipment was to read and operate, factors that would usefully detect the equipment’s accuracy limitations. that were particularly advantageous or disadvantageous, and any Factory-issue standards were used for pH. Each lab coordinator tips we figured out during the process to make operation easier. followed the procedure provided with the kit or device, attempting All of these observations were compiled and analyzed in Microsoft to simulate a volunteer’s experience with new equipment. Certain Excel, then used to draw conclusions and write the final study kits, particularly for pH, had specific limits on their sensitivity ranges report. and so were only used to test standards within that range. After all ALLARM’s co-created approach to citizen science involves of the kits and meters had read each of their respective standards the volunteers in every step of the scientific process, and performing twice, they were all then used to test tap water with unknown these reviews helps us meet their overall aquatic monitoring goals. values of phosphates, nitrates, and pH. The tap water tests provided For any equipment that ALLARM recommends to volunteers, we can more insight into precision and reproducibility. It also simulated a share with them the lessons we learned about each piece to help real monitoring experience more closely where the true values in them conduct the best monitoring possible. Based on the results the stream are unknown. of this study, we can recommend the best equipment based on a Throughout the whole process, each watershed coordinator group’s budget, their monitoring goals, and how they intend to use filled out individual data sheets without seeing each other’s results the data. to preserve objectivity. On the data sheets, we recorded our
16 Stream of Consciousness Stonefly Hellgrammite Crayfish What’s the Buzz on Water Bugs and Limestone Streams? By: Nick Long
f all the aspects of streams that ALLARM analyzes, my bers depend on stream health over a relatively long period of time favorite has to be biodiversity; an integral part of any (Goodnight, 1973). If a stream was seriously polluted for even a short ecosystem’s health. One of the foundations of a healthy period of time but then improved, some macroinvertebrates would O have died while others would have survived, and even fewer would stream ecosystem is a group of organisms called macroinvertebrates. Macroinvertebrates are defined as aquatic animals that are visible to have reproduced. These environmental changes would be reflected the naked eye and lack a backbone. Most people are familiar with in the population data, while chemical tests can only tell us what is crayfish, which I like to think of as ambassadors for the plethora happening at the time of the test. Chemical tests are extremely im- of other macroinvertebrates. The majority of macroinvertebrates, portant and useful, but they only provide us with a snapshot of the however, are actually small insect larvae, waiting to emerge from the stream’s status. Based on what type of macroinvertebrates we find, water and move on to their adult stage of life. Mayflies, caddisflies, we can estimate the degree to which the water is polluted. Some and other larval insects are common in our local streams and macroinvertebrates are more tolerant of pollution than others, so they can survive even in poor conditions while others cannot. When happen to be popular bait for fly fishing, making them somewhat we find mostly pollution tolerant species in our samples, we can feel recognizable. You have probably seen plenty of dragonflies flying more confident in classifying the stream as polluted. around during the summer, but can you recognize their aquatic larval When discussing the biology of a stream, rocks and minerals stage? probably do not come to the forefront of one’s mind. Nevertheless, Macroinvertebrate assessment is important to ALLARM for the lithology (rock characteristics) underlying a stream affects the a variety of reasons. Firstly, it gives us an idea of the overall health stream environment, followed by its biology (Hellman, Erikson, and of an aquatic ecosystem. More diverse biology generally means a Queenborough, 2014). There are two main types of stream lithology healthier and more resilient ecosystem (Hooper et al., 2005). When that are of interest to us at ALLARM; limestone and freestone. Free- many different types of organisms exist in a habitat, the ecosystem is stone streams are fed mostly by runoff, whereas limestone streams less likely to fail because environmental stressors do not affect all or- are fed by groundwater. This means that there are different dissolved ganisms equally. An especially cold day, for example, could kill some compounds in different streams, depending on the water’s origin plants, while others could stick it out and continue to provide food and what it is exposed to. The lithology of freestone streams is non- for herbivores. Since macroinvertebrates are an important source of specific, as the water may contact any number of things. Limestone food for macroinvertebrates, fishes, and other macroinvertebrates, stream water is exposed to subterranean limestone when it is still their populations have an impact on the other organisms’ popula- groundwater, and ‘picks up’ certain compounds as a result. Lime- tions. Many macroinvertebrates consume leaf litter, algae, and other stone streams are not only defined by their water’s origin, but also vegetation in the stream, and therefore form a vital link between their temperature and alkalinity (Botts, 2009). Groundwater hovers fish and plant matter (Cummins and Klug, 1979). Without them, the around a cool 50-55 degrees Fahrenheit, which is important because energy held within the leaf litter would not move up the food chain. certain macroinvertebrates require a more significant seasonal varia- That is ecology in a nutshell. tion in temperature in order to complete their life cycle (Botts, 2009). Macroinvertebrate numbers and diversity provide us with a Since most of the water in a limestone stream comes from ground- better idea of the long-term health of a stream because their num-
2017 17 water, there is little seasonal variation compared to a freestone heavily on calcium carbonate, since skeleton strength and resilience stream. These stable conditions provide ideal habitat for many or- are vital to their survival. The shells of snails and other mollusks, for ganisms. Water alkalinity is the measure of how resistant water is to example, are almost entirely composed of calcium carbonate (Lopes acidification (Ormernik and Powers, 2010). In limestone streams, the et al., 2013). We actually have snails and other mollusks to thank for relatively high levels of the compound calcium carbonate are respon- much of limestone’s existence, since the deposition of these shells sible for the water’s high alkalinity. Streams with high alkalinity have over a long period of time leads to the formation of limestone. In a greater acid-buffering capacity and therefore exhibit a more stable addition, more acidic water makes the incorporation of calcium car- chemistry. These conditions lead to a macroinvertebrate population bonate into exoskeletons difficult, as it causes the compound to fall that is more dense, but not as diverse as that of a freestone stream out of solution (Tao et al., 2016) and become unavailable for use by (Botts, 2009). As such, separate monitoring criteria are necessary for shell-builders. The high alkalinity of limestone stream water buffers accurately assessing the ecological health of limestone and freestone it from acidifying agents, such as acid precipitation, and discourages streams because of distinct differences in chemical composition and this compound fallout, thereby making the stream more hospitable seasonal temperature variability. to some shelled macroinvertebrates. Limestone, which is composed primarily of calcium carbon- Because of the unique properties of limestone, we need ate, is prevalent in several of our local waterways in Pennsylvania, different monitoring methods for examining the macroinvertebrate most notably the Letort Spring Run. The water in these streams usu- communities of freestone versus limestone streams. These two ally contains a considerable amount of dissolved calcium carbonate different stream characterizations exhibit vastly different habitats and other minerals because of the water’s interaction with limestone and are home to different macroinvertebrate communities. Stream underground (Reid et al., 2012). Macroinvertebrate exoskeletons are health can only be accurately determined once a stream is properly composed of both calcium carbonate and a substance called chitin. categorized. Additional research on how limestone stream environ- The association of calcium carbonate with chitin adds strength and ments shape macroinvertebrate communities would aid scientists in rigidity to the exoskeleton (Perez-Huerta et al., 2013), so its durability properly assessing stream health. By expanding our understanding partly depends on the availability of calcium carbonate in the water. of stream ecology, we will be better able to manage these beautiful These limestone streams more readily host organisms that depend and important ecosystems.
Volunteers collecting macroinvertebrates in the field in Bethel Township, PA.
References Botts, W. (2009). An index of biological integrity for “true” limestone streams. Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. Cummins, K. W., & Klug, M. J. (1979). Feeding ecology of stream invertebrates. Annual review of ecology and systematics, 10(1), 147-172. Goodnight, C. (1973). The use of aquatic macroinvertebrates as indicators of stream pollution. Transactions of the American Microscopical Society, 92(1), 1-13. doi:10.2307/3225166 Hellmann, J. K., Erikson, J. S., & Queenborough, S. A. (2014). Evaluating macroinvertebrate community shifts in the confluence of freestone and limestone streams. Journal of Limnology, 74(1). Hooper, D. U., Chapin, F. S., Ewel, J. J., Hector, A., Inchausti, P., Lavorel, S., ... & Schmid, B. (2005). Effects of biodiversity on ecosystem functioning: a consensus of current knowledge. Ecological monographs, 75(1), 3-35. Lopes, A., Hinzmann, M., Lopes-Lima, M., Goncalves, JF., Ferreira, S., Domingues, B., … Machdo, J. (2014). Functional studies on the shell soluble matrix of Anodonta cygnea. Nautilus, 128, 105-113. Omernik, J. M., & Powers, C. F. (n.d.). Total alkalinity of surface waters [Map]. Retrieved from https://water.usgs.gov/owq/alkus.pdf Perez-Huerta, A., Etayo-Cadavid, M. F., Andrus, C. F. T., Jeffries, T. E., Watkins, C., Street, S. C., Sandweiss, D. H. (2013). El niño impact on mollusk biomineralization–implications for trace element proxy reconstructions and the paleo-archeological record. Public Library of Science 8(2), e54274. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0054274. Reid, D. J., Scarsbrook, M. R., Wright-Stow, A.E., van Houte-Howes, K. S. S., Joy, K. (2012). Water quality and benthic macroinvertebrate communities in karst landscapes of North Island, New Zealand: influences of water sources, habitat type and anthropogenic disturbances.New Zealand Journal of Marine and Freshwater Research, 46(2), 263-277. http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/00288330.2011.644856 Tao, Y., Dan, D., Qiujin, X., Fengchang, W., & Chengda, H. (2016). Response of sediment calcium and magnesium species to the regional acid deposition in eutrophic Taihu Lake, China. Environmental Science & Pollution Research, 23(22), 22489-22499. doi:10.1007/s11356-016-7365-y
18 Stream of Consciousness Assessment of Pennsylvania’s Watershed Field By: Claire Jordy
he watershed assessment project, funded by the Foundation shed organizations in Pennsylvania with current contact, and to write for Pennsylvania Watersheds, is one of ALLARM’s new a comprehensive summary of the changes and developments in the endeavors. The project is a collaboration with Professor Dr. watershed community from 2005-2015. This was accomplished T through interviews with key informants in the watershed field in PA. Heather Bedi from Dickinson College and Professor Dr. Kathryn Brasier from Pennsylvania State University, which was born out of Ten interviews were conducted with staff from important state orga- a study conducted in 2005 by Brasier and colleagues at the Center nizations, followed up with four focus groups and an additional two for Rural Pennsylvania and Penn State. This initial “Assessment to three interviews with community watershed organization leaders. of Community Watershed Organizations in Rural Pennsylvania” These interviews were examined and some common themes were sought “to understand how and why watershed organizations form; extracted. Preliminary findings are summarized below: understand the roles watershed groups play in developing and • Types of groups: Most groups are comprised of retired white implementing rural and environmental policy; and develop typologies male volunteers. Understanding how such a group works pro- vides insights on how to move forward in the field. One inter- of organizations and assess the relative effectiveness of these viewee pointed out that there may be more progress happening organizational types,” (Higdon, 2005: 7). Information from interviews in the watershed and environmental field currently than can be with twenty-seven key informants informed a questionnaire that was seen; it just looks different from how most of these groups are distributed in 2002 to 580 community watershed organizations. With characterized. Therefore, to move forward, we need to under- 172 responses, twenty-eight simple random samples were drawn stand how diverse groups and younger generations engage with to gather more detailed information about these groups; two to environmental issues to utilize their skills to create more prog- six groups were interviewed per each of the eight PA Department ress. of Environmental Protection-delineated watersheds (Higdon, • Important past water quality issues in PA: It is important to 2005). The results were organized to create a profile of community understand the past water quality issues that groups organized watershed organizations in rural PA, addressing some strengths and around to assess successes and limitations. Specific issues often weaknesses of these groups. This data revealed when and why many dictate how groups organize and take action. From interviews, of these groups started, how they are organized, who the members the most important past water quality issues appeared to be, in are, how they are funded, what policies impact the group and vice no specific order: erosion and sedimentation, toxics, agriculture versa, and the overall effectiveness of the group in creating policy (erosion, manure, and nutrients), fossil fuel extraction, storm- changes that affect PA streams and lakes. water, climate change, Chesapeake Bay pollution, and acid mine This 2005 study was incredibly informative but only includes drainage. Many watershed organizations organized specifically information on watershed groups pre-that existed before 2005. around these issues in the last 10 years, and many groups waned Therefore, the current watershed assessment grant was developed when they completed their original goal(s). to address the past ten years from 2005 to 2015 in the PA watershed • Accomplishments of groups: Over the last 10 years, watershed field. The goals of this new project are slightly different the original groups have collectively: studythan from before, including to develop an inventory of water- • Led massive acid mine drainage clean ups in west and
Volunteers conducting a visual stream assessment.
2017 19 Volunteers identifying macroinvertebrates.
northeast PA; funding resources; • Influenced science education in classrooms; • There is not central place or organization for these groups • Made water quality issues a household conversation; technical, capacity, and funding needs; • Educated community members on how to promote a • Burnout in projects; healthy environment in all ways; • Lack of QAQC to make data credible; • Drove state and federal policy changes; • Lack of persistence and strength; • Used government, private, and non-profit funds to accom- • Lots of hoops to jump through to get government funding; plish policy goals; • Farmers are resistant to change that volunteers try to make • Reduced nutrients and sediment running into small and for health of the water; large streams; • Difficultyecruiting r new volunteers; • Held the community and companies to standards by report- • Organizations are not well staffed, due to lack of funding; ing water quality issues; • And most importantly, lack of support from the government • Implemented best management practices (BMPs), especial- who ultimately determines many of these groups’ fate. ly with stream bank stabilization and storm water; • Important programs/resources for community watershed or- • Collected usable biological and chemical data on streams; ganizations in past: Most of the resources that were important • Raised local community’s awareness of local resources; to watershed organizations in the past 10 years include legisla- • Created local partnerships; tion or non-profit organizations and the government for fund- • Acquired grants; and ing. For example, Growing Greener 1 and 2, DCNR’s C2P2 grant, • Made improvements in water quality across PA! Chesapeake Bay Action Plan, DRBC, county conservation dis- An important lesson from this data is if the community cares and is tricts, DRN and their funding, C-SAW for technical support, CREP active in finding a solution, change can really happen! program to educate farmers, the Fish and Boat Commission, 319 • Strengths and limitations of groups: Strengths of watershed funding, POWR and PEC, Penn Future, PennVest, DEP and DCNR, organizations in the last 10 years are mainly attributed to the PA CVMP and Senior Environmental Corps, ALLARM, Nature accomplishments of the groups, but it is important to note the Abounds, MS4 legislation, and more. The list of legislation re- impact that community support and knowledge has on making lating to water quality is very large but many of these programs change. The limitations of these groups are more interesting in have been cut back in scope or funding in the last 10 years. Key that they highlight how to improve the impact of these groups stakeholders especially emphasized the effects on watershed in the future. Main limitations as seen from key stakeholders groups by each state administration since 1995 with Governor include: Ridge, when a lot of important legislation was born. The state • Volunteer groups are dependent on outside funding and and federal administration is very important for the daily work government support; that occurs on the ground with volunteer organizations. • They lack adequate training on how to sustain in perpetuity; • Important future water quality issues in PA: Key stakeholders • High volunteer turnover rate; saw some continuation of important water quality issues from • Lots of change in leadership which makes groups less fo- the last 10 years to the future. The most significant future water cused and stable; quality issues include nutrients, toxics, erosion and sedimen- • There are too many groups now competing for too little tation, storm water, fossil fuel extraction and pipeline devel-
20 Stream of Consciousness opment, water quantity (not just quality), and climate change. emerging need for watershed organizations are support of all Overall, these issues are largely the same as the past 10 years, kinds: technical, capacity-building, etc. This could be accom- but they were talked about in a different manner. For example, plished not only by individual organizations and the government because there is more legislation on storm water in the last 10 but through a clearinghouse of sorts that mentors and provides years, it will become a larger issue to focus on in the future. Cli- support for other volunteers in the state. Hopefully the inven- mate change was mentioned often, urging adaptation of current tory of current and past watershed groups created through this flood systems. grant report will help in creating a database and network of vol- • Role for watershed organizations in future water quality is- unteer watershed organizations in PA. Another interesting need sues: Key stakeholders believe that watershed organizations can that was raised in the interviews was the need for justice ser- be involved in the future of water quality issues by: vices for watershed groups, i.e. citizen empowerment training • Continuing to educate their communities on the impacts of to teach groups how to take action.. Relating to the government, certain activities and behaviors; watershed organizations not only need funding (which is large- • Getting involved with local politics to influence local land ly from state programs), but also more enforcement of current use planning and preservation of water resources; laws, more access to government resources, and volunteer data • Increasing the amount of people working with volunteer or- to be seen as credible by the government. ganizations to protect natural resources; • Working on maintaining and implementing storm water and The authors of this grant report are hoping to create a big other BMPs; picture of the watershed in the last ten years, since the last assess- • Being a watchdog for water quality violations; and ment in 2005. The products of this grant – a comprehensive water- • Collecting data on waterways. shed organization list, a summary of the watershed history from • What watershed organizations need to be successful: The 2005-2015, and engagement of 50-100 people leading to increased answer was very clear: watershed organizations need funding conversation and coordination – are hopefully valuable moving for- and government support to continue doing the work they do ward in improving water quality in PA through citizen science and for water resources in PA. Many groups closed in the period of watershed organizations. 2005-2015 because of funding or recruitment issues. Another
Assistant Director Jinnie Monismith working with Big Spring Watershed volunteers to develop a monitoring program.
References Higdon, F., Brasier, K., Stedman, R., Lee, B., and Sherman, S. (2005). Assessment of Community Watershed Organizations in Rural Pennsylvania (Rep). Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology, Pennsylvania State University. Retrieved from http://www.rural.palegislature.us/documents/reports/watersheds_higdon.pdf.
2017 21 Living in a DIY World: Advancing Do-It-Yourself Automatic Data-logging Technology through MayFly DIY By: Jake Beley
hroughout its history, support materials to help peo- ALLARM has brought ple of all backgrounds find new TScience, Technology, and improved ways to monitor Engineering and Math (STEM) the environment. It was with education to the public through the creation of the Mayfly DIY, engaging workshops for both a micro-processing board that is volunteer monitors and K-12 designed to create DIY data-log- students. With this wide array of gers, that the basis for the ed- experience, ALLARM continues ucational material produced by to explore new ways to help this EPA grant found its footing. bring the latest and most precise So what exactly is a equipment and education to the micro-processing board and an public. That is why ALLARM was automatic data-logger? A mi- ecstatic when it was offered the cro processing board is a circuit opportunity to join in a grant board that contains the mem- to help “develop a model for ory, processing power, sensor advancing do-it-yourself (DIY) inputs and component outputs. environmental sensing networks An automatic data-logger is able to support citizen science and to automatically measure and secondary education.” This store data of its surrounding grant is funded by the EPA and environment. Data-loggers can is in partnership with the Stroud be used to take measurements Water Research Center (SWRC) such as water temperature, pH in Pennsylvania. levels etc. Since the MayFly DIY Online DIY project com- is a designated micro-process- munities, such as DIY weather ing board for data collection, it station and drone websites, is the perfect platform to create have been growing rapidly in a custom automatic data-logger. the past five years. These online I had the opportunity communities are websites that to speak to Shannon Hicks, the contain discussion boards to al- head engineer of the MayFly low amateurs and professionals DIY at SWRC, and learn more to connect and exchange new about her work in regards to ideas and advances in the field. this grant. She was originally This collaboration between peo- hired by SWRC to help deploy ple of various backgrounds has new automatic water testing da- allowed new innovation and ta-loggers throughout the wa- techniques to be developed on tersheds that SWRC monitors. how to collect and share com- After finding the high costs of munity-collected scientific data. the data collecting circuits and This movement was part of the instruments on the market, she inspiration for the Stroud Wa- realized that she could develop ter Research Center in experi- a cheaper, more efficient solu- menting and creating a way to tion that could greatly expand make inexpensive DIY automat- the outreach of this technology. ic data-logging equipment and The Stroud DIY MayFly Data Logger
22 Stream of Consciousness Director Julie Vastine meeting with Tara Muenz to learn more about the MayFly DIY Data Logger.
So she went to work over the next few years in creating a data-log- ALLARM’s role in this grant is contributing to documenta- ging, micro-processing board that could meet all the demands that a tion, curriculum development, and workshop organization. This in- water monitor might want, such as support for wireless data trans- cludes running workshops and collecting and analyzing feedback to fer, the ability to survive extreme temperatures, and the ability to be used to improve the programs. These workshops include informa- be powered by solar. These years of research have accumulated in a tion on how to use the MayFly DIY board with various sensors, how micro-processing circuit board, MayFly DIY. This board and platform to program the board to achieve one’s desired goals, and an over- contains the necessary design and resources to make it the ultimate view of how to read and interpret data through various data soft- and cost-effective automatic data-logger. ware. Throughout each workshop there has been high energy and The MayFly DIY has become the basis for the education- excitement about the possibilities of utilizing this data logger. Some al and workshop materials produced under this EPA grant because teacher participants have been exploring the possibility of using the of its affordable cost, user-friendly design, and immense library of device to monitor soil or even wildlife! technical documentation. Accordingly, the MayFly DIY has allowed When asked about why ALLARM was offered the oppor- the grant to focus on a universal platform that can be customized by tunity to contribute to this grant, Tara Muenz, an education head each user for their given goals. The objective of this grant is to create at SWRC, said that, “I knew of ALLARM’s amazing history and back- teaching material and guidebooks for two major groups: secondary ground in creating guidance documents and manuals in supporting school students and volunteer water monitors. The different mate- volunteer monitors.” She described the work-relationship between rials produced for each group share many commonalities, but are ALLARM and SWRC in regards to this grant as a “win-win” for both tailored to the needs of each group. sides by fueling the creation of material that can empower citizen For secondary education, the designed workshops and ed- science and keep streams healthy (Tara Muenz, personal communi- ucational material let students make “cool environment measure- cation). ments,” which engages them while allowing teachers to go in as Excited to see the unique ways the DIY community and aca- much “detail as [he or she] wants to… [about] programming, circuit demia use this platform to create new ways to better log the environ- boards, electronics and physics” according to Shannon Hicks. One of ment, SWRC staff cannot wait to witness how this platform is imple- the main goals of the secondary education material is to provide a mented around the world. The reward of all this work and research flexible platform that can be used to teach an array of STEM subjects. is seeing people using it in new and creative ways to better protect Through the workshops, teachers can learn about the fundamental the environment. Through Stroud Water Research Center, ALLARM, capabilities of monitoring through the Mayfly DIY and are given in- and the EPA, more citizens will ultimately have access to educational struction on the possible custom computer programming that can material to master and use the MayFly DIY to better protect our en- extend the possibilities of data capturing with the device. vironment. The material for the volunteer monitors focuses specifically on the monitor’s given field of study. Volunteer water monitor guides If interested in learning more about this project, please go to: http:// and workshops focus on the water science and the end product of envirodiy.org/ the data they are collecting. The main emphasis in these workshops is on how to analyze the data and how to report any concerns from it The MayFly DIY retails for $60.00 and a starting kit that includes req- to the correct organizations. Overall, both the secondary education uisite sensor inputs for water monitoring sells for $90.00. material and volunteer monitoring guides provide the basis for un- limited exploration of this device. This allows each group to decide for themselves how far and how much they want to push the MayFly DIY’s capabilities to better collect environmental data.
2017 23 How “Green” Is Your Lawn? By: Olivia Boggiano-Peterson
An example of a lawn planted with turf grass, which has very shallow roots.
awns have become a vital cultural symbol in the U.S., intertwined never been more important. with images of the American Dream and the middle class, The Issue yet they can have negative environmental impacts on aquatic When it rains or snows, water either soaks into the ground L or flows over the surface as “runoff” into the nearest storm drain ecosystems. Social pressures originating over two hundred years ago once attributed lawns to class standing and wealth but since or body of water. This pattern can be viewed as a “green filter” vs. the 1950s and the rise of suburbia, lawns have become a symbol of a “gray funnel.” In other words, a natural landscape absorbs water the middle class and maintaining them is a source of pride for many into the soil, filtering out pollution and replenishing groundwater, while impervious surfaces such as roads and buildings keep water at Americans (Jenkins, 1994). Indeed, the pressure to keep lawns neat, the surface and streamline it into a concentrated path (think gutters green, and uniform is a powerful motivator to pour ample fertilizer, and storm drains). Stormwater, as it’s technically called, does not get pesticides and water on our front yards. Unfortunately, most turf treated in many cities like sewage does, so rainwater that flows over grasses have shallow root structures making them poor absorbers of impervious surfaces (washing pollution with it) and down a storm precipitation so the chances of those fertilizers and pesticides running drain will directly flow into a local stream. off our lawns into local streams are fairly high. Fertilizer runoff from Residential lawns act somewhere between a green filter lawns is associated with a number of environmental issues such as and grey funnel depending on soil type and time of construction. algal blooms (Eisenhauer et al., 2015). Fortunately, adopting more During construction, soil around a house can become extremely sustainable practices is quite simple. Techniques such as cutting compacted from heavy machinery. Compacted soil paired with turf back on fertilizer use and leaving lawn clippings to decompose are grass, which has a shallow, thick root structure, can reduce infiltra- examples of lawn-care practices that can help maintain the health of tion by up to 91% in some cases (Woltmade, 2010). Older lawns (at soil ecosystems and the surrounding environment. Lawns are found least 10 years old) can absorb on average 69% more precipitation all across the U.S., so any step we can take to collectively reduce than recently developed ones but they may still produce significant harmful practices will be beneficial to everyone. runoff (Woltmade, 2010). For this reason, any fertilizer or pesticide Turf grass has radically changed the U.S. landscape in the residue sitting on top of the soil can be washed into nearby bodies of past 100 years. A 2005 study by Milesi et al. estimated the total area water and carried far downstream, ultimately affecting large ecosys- of turf grass (including lawns, parks, athletic fields, and golf cours- tems such as the Chesapeake Bay. es) in the continental U.S. to be around 63,240 square miles. That’s Urban and suburban runoff can have extremely detrimental almost the size of Wisconsin or roughly 2% of the continental U.S. impacts on aquatic ecosystem health by carrying nutrients (nitrogen Research shows that Americans care a lot about the appearance of and phosphorus), sediment, heavy metals, and bacteria into bodies this turf grass, spending an estimated $40 billion annually on fertil- of water. Nutrients are a particular concern because they spur the izers, mowing, watering, and other services (Steinberg, 2007). While rapid growth of algae, which can harm other organisms and aquat- residential lawns make up only a portion of the total turf grass in the ic plant species by depleting oxygen (this is called eutrophication), U.S., homeowners often invest more resources in their lawns than is blocking sunlight, and in some cases, releasing toxins. Urbanization needed, leading to over-fertilizing and over-watering (Milesi et al., is increasing along the East Coast as people move closer to cities. 2005). With increasing urbanization in the U.S. and rising popula- This means that more and more forested and agricultural land is tions, environmental consciousness and sustainable practices have being replaced with impervious surfaces, increasing the amount of
24 Stream of Consciousness runoff received by small waterways. For example, about 15% of the that will prevent excess fertilizer from washing downstream with the nitrogen received by the Chesapeake Bay comes from urban and sub- next rain event. Alternatively, adding compost to your lawn several urban runoff (primarily from road depositions and lawn fertilizers) times a year can naturally have many of the same benefits of syn- and it is the only source that continues to increase (Chesapeake Bay thetic fertilizers. Compost comprised of decomposed leaves, other Foundation, n.d.). Many homeowners mistakenly over-fertilize their plant matter, or vegetable scraps and coffee grounds, can help retain lawns, thinking that they are encouraging growth, however, grass (or water and nutrients for valuable soil organisms and can reduce soil any plant) can only absorb a certain amount of fertilizer and anything compaction. Even a simple practice like leaving grass clippings on the beyond that sits at the surface. Luckily, there are a number of practic- lawn after mowing can improve a compacted lawn after several sea- es homeowners can adopt to improve the overall health of their lawn sons by allowing the plant material to decompose into a more porous and the surrounding environment. soil layer. Having a rich and fluffy top layer of soil will help your lawn more readily absorb water and also fuel a healthy ecosystem of mi- What can you do? croorganisms. Consider using compost or organic plant matter before Before buying or applying fertilizer to a lawn, it’s important turning straight to fertilizer because compost has many of the same to use a soil test kit to find out if the soil is depleted of nutrients nutrient-enriching benefits while reducing runoff over time. and minerals and if so, how much added fertilizer it needs. These Another way to improve compacted soil is to introduce kits generally run at about $12-$15 and are found at most home and plants with complex root systems. Converting parts of your lawn into garden stores. Some soils are nutrient dense and do not need add- garden beds with native plants or at least a somewhat diverse selec- ed fertilizer, while some are nutrient poor and can benefit from it. tion of plants has a number of positive ecosystem benefits. Most turf Knowing what your soil needs and basing your lawn-care regimen on grass is not native to North America even though it is found every-
An example of a lawn planted with turf grass, which has very shallow roots.
Pollutants, such as excess fertilizer, can wash off of your lawn and enter streams, like the LeTort Spring Run in Carlisle.
where. Planting some native vegetation typically reduces the need that is going down a storm drain and into a local stream, such as the for watering and pesticide use, and it’s an easy way to provide valu- Letort. able habitat for birds and pollinators such as bees and butterflies. Ultimately, every homeowner has a different need and ex- Native plants also generally have deeper root systems than turf grass, pectation for their lawn. However, the greenest front lawn is not which help decompress the soil and encourage a healthier soil eco- necessarily representative of a healthy environment. There are many system. Alternatively, homeowners can reduce the volume of storm- ways to cultivate a healthy and sustainable lawn without sacrificing water running over their lawns by installing a rain barrel underneath its aesthetic appeal. Working with your lawn and having an under- their downspout. Rain barrels collect the precipitation that runs off standing of what it needs is vital in order to prevent harmful nutri- your roof and holds it until you have a use for it. This water can be ents from washing downstream. Responsible lawn care may not sin- used for watering plants or vegetable gardens on hot sunny days or gle-handedly fix pollution problems throughout the country, but it for irrigating your lawn. By reducing the amount of water flowing can certainly help. over your lawn on a rainy day, you also reduce the amount of water
References Chesapeake Bay Foundation (n.d.) Polluted Runoff. Retrieved from http://www.cbf.org/about-the-bay/issues/polluted-runoff Chesapeake Bay Program (n.d.). Development. Retrieved from https://www.chesapeakebay.net/issues/issue/development#inline Eisenhauer, B. W., Brehm, J. M., Stevenson, N., & Peterson, J. (2016). Changing homeowners’ lawn care behavior to reduce nutrient runoff. Society & Natural Resources, 29(3), 329-344. Environmental Protection Agency. (June, 2006). Green Scaping: the Easy Way to a Greener, Healthier Yard. Jenkins, V. (1994). The lawn: a history of an American obsession. Smithsonian Institution. Milesi, C., Running, S. W., Elvidge, C. D., Dietz, J. B., Tuttle, B. T., & Nemani, R. R. (2005). Mapping and modeling the biogeochemical cycling of turf grasses in the United States. Environmental Management, 36(3), 426-438. Natural Resources Conservation Service. (2005). Bioswales. NRCS. Woltemade, C. J. (2010), Impact of Residential Soil Disturbance on Infiltration Rate and Stormwater Runoff. JAWRA Journal of the American Water Resources Association, 46: 700–711. doi:10.1111/j.1752-1688.2010.00442.x
2017 25 Riparian Buffers and Invasive Species By: Cheyenne Moore
ith the 2009 Chesapeake Bay temperature of streams. Many small streams each can be found below. Executive Order and following are cold-water fisheries, important for game A problem that the Dickinson state legislation, several best fish such as trout, as well as other organisms. College Farm buffer and many other buffers W These streams need to stay below 70 degrees face is the presence of invasive species. management practices (BMPs) have been widely introduced throughout the Fahrenheit. Without the buffer to provide Typically, invasive plants are not shade Chesapeake Bay watershed to limit nutrients shade, direct sunlight has the potential to tolerant, but when a buffer is first planted and runoff entering streams. One of these raise the stream temperature so that it is no and the trees are not large enough to provide practices is the use of riparian stream buffers longer conducive to cold-water fish species shade, invasive species are able to grow. (EPA, 2010). (Water Quality Standards of 1979). There are several invasives characteristic of A riparian buffer is an area adjacent Buffers are often linked to farms buffers. They include Japanese knotweed, to a stream, which is planted with trees and pastures, but buffers can be effective Mile-a- minute weed, Japanese stilt grass, and other vegetation. Riparian buffers can anywhere next to a stream, including in Bindweed, Japanese hops, and Reed canary occur naturally or be planted specifically urban areas. Often there are open, grassy grass. Many of these plants have very to help improve stream health. The buffer banks next to streams running through urban efficient dispersal and seeding methods. area helps to absorb runoff that may contain areas. While this may look nice, it allows Several are also vines and can smother young nutrients such as nitrates and phosphates. runoff to enter a stream nearly unimpeded. plants of the buffer if not properly managed. Plants can absorb these excess nutrients and ALLARM has established a working Invasive species can outcompete native utilize them for growth. Areas covered by buffer on a former pasture at the Dickinson vegetation when sunlight is not a limiting vegetation with more complex root systems College Farm. The benefits of this buffer factor, easily upsetting the ecosystem. As can absorb water much more efficiently go beyond protecting the Yellow Breeches the plants of the buffer grow and shade than grassy areas and pasture. An additional Creek, which it borders, as it also serves increases, other invasives move in, such as purpose the plants serve is soil stabilization. to educate others on the importance of Jimson weed and Multi-floral rose. Often Plants of riparian buffers have complex root buffers. The question of which trees to plant removal of invasives is a manual task that systems that help prevent soil erosion, which at a buffer is often debated. ALLARM chose involves pulling and digging out plants to results in sedimentation and increased a variety of trees for the buffer for a variety remove roots. Herbicides and mowing can turbidity in streams. Yet another benefit is of reasons, including the production of also be effective (“Managing Plants,” 2014). that the trees and other vegetation provide fruits beneficial to animals, water need, and How do these plants make their habitat for birds and other organisms (“The overall diversity. Some of the trees chosen way into riparian buffers and how are they Science Behind,” 2014). include hazelnut, dogwood, white pine, so hardy? Invasive plants do not have any Buffers also help to maintain the sycamore and others. A table showing the natural competitors, so they often have an trees planted and the benefits provided by advantage. In addition, they often “green
A guide to trees of the buffer, which provides information about which trees have a high water intake, benefit from acidic soil, are tolerant to floods, provide food for wildlife, and increase biological diversity.
26 Stream of Consciousness out” or leaf out before native plants due to carelessly introduced (“Invasive Species,” Regardless of your viewpoint on climate differences in comparison to their 2017). invasive plants as part of riparian buffers, it country of origin. Many of these plants are There is a debate concerning the is important that this management practice from countries in Asia. Because they are question of “are invasives always bad at is implemented to help mitigate runoff and hardy and spread easily, they make their a buffer?” because they are still plants nutrient pollution of our streams. Since way into open areas, either through being serving the purpose of stabilizing soil and the Chesapeake Bay Executive Order in nearby, such as along a roadway, or through absorbing nutrients. This point is debated 2009, riparian buffers have been planted arriving with fertilizers or mulch for the by naturalists, botanists, conservationists, throughout the watershed. While there are buffer. People often do not understand the and others. There is no right answer to the no exact numbers available on the number consequences of non-native vegetation. question; it simply depends on your opinion of buffers planted and nutrients captured, Invasives are commonly first planted as about invasives in an ecosystem. They are it can be assumed that implementing these ornamental, decorative plants that spread not a natural part of the ecosystem and often practices have had a positive impact on out of control with minimal competition do not provide the same ecosystem services the agriculture-rich watershed. It is also (U.S. Forest Service, 2015). Invasives are also to native wildlife. In addition, if invasives are important to remember that non-native frequently brought to the U.S. accidentally in an ecosystem such as a buffer, succession plants and animals should not be introduced through cargo. If a plant or animal is not will occur and as the trees provide more to ecosystems where their potential effects native to an area, it has the potential to shade, the invasives will usually be pushed are unknown. vastly alter an ecosystem and should not be out steadily.
Top: Views of some of the trees out at the buffer, as well as one of the educational signs that teach people more about the benefits of buffers and about the trees planted.Bottom: Trees growing at the buffer. References Invasive Species: How They Affect the Environment. (2017). Retrieved from https://www.environmentalscience.org/invasive-species U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. (2010). Guidance for Federal Land Management in the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. EPA 841-R-10-002. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, DC. Managing Invasive Plants in Riparian Areas. (2014). Retrieved from http://www.dec.ny.gov/docs/lands_forests_pdf/tftismg17.pdf The Science Behind the Need for Riparian Buffer Protection. (2014). Retrieved from http://conservationtools.org/guides/131-the-science-behind-the-need-for-riparian-buffer- protection Invasive Species: What Is an Invasive Species? (2015). Retrieved from https://www.fs.fed.us/pnw/invasives/ Water Quality Standards, 25 Pa. Code § 93. Retrieved from http://www.pacode.com/secure/data/025/chapter93/chap93toc.html 2017 27 Reflecting on the Stream Restoration Project By: Caroline Kanaskie
Caroline Kanaskie ‘17 with a sign displaying the trees of the buffer.
fter a year abroad, I returned to Carlisle and promptly began ALLARMie Emily Kaplita ’16. The posted content provides information to notice the many changes here at Dickinson—one ofthe to visitors including riparian buffer basics and tree identification. most noteworthy being the tremendous growth and success Earth Science students have also utilized the site for soil A research. As part of the Chemistry of Earth Systems course in fall of our stream restoration project! The project includes more than 450 trees planted in 2013 and 2014. If you’ve read past editions of 2016, Sophia Larson ‘17 and ALLARMie Allison Curley ’19 investigated our newsletter, maybe you remember reading about our stream mercury concentrations in different parts of the riparian buffer based restoration site, from its beginning in 2013, an overview of year 1 in on the different types of vegetation we planted and when we planted them. Projects like this dig at the purpose of the riparian buffer: to 2014, and phase 2 completion in 2015. Now that the trees are starting absorb nutrients and runoff that would otherwise enter the stream. to outgrow their protective tubes, ALLARMies are troubleshooting During spring 2017, our goal is to establish clear, feasible new problems and planning continued maintenance efforts. maintenance goals to facilitate further growth at the site. Now that While the trees are growing, the use of the site is growing as the canopy is starting to close in phase 1, meaning that the trees are well. During the fall 2016 semester, we shared the stream restoration tall enough to sufficiently shade competing species, mowing will no site with three groups: the U.S. Forest Service, a local homeschool longer be necessary in that area. This means less maintenance! In all group, and The Secret Life of Plants—an introductory biology class phases, we will be removing tubes and netting from trees that are here at Dickinson. The diversity of these audiences proved to be an outgrowing these protective measures. The types and numbers of exciting and welcome challenge in lesson planning. The focus of the invasive plants have changed since the initial planting at the site, and discussions ranged from riparian buffer basics to lessons learned we will be researching and working to learn more about these plants during the planting events, to why we chose the tree species and and the best practices that we can use to lessen the competition how we are managing for invasive plants. Whether our goal was to between the invasive and anachronistic plants. Particularly find the biggest sycamore leaves that provide important shade for noticeable invasives include Jimsonweed, Pokeweed, and Multiflora the stream and the critters that live there, or to illustrate the intricate rose. As always, a few trees may need extra stabilization or may need relationship between our streams, agriculture and road runoff, the to be re-tubed if the tube is broken or if an invasive plant has started stream restoration site proved to be an effective educational space. growing inside the tube. In the fall of 2015, we debuted educational signage designed by During the maintenance planning process, it can be easy
28 Stream of Consciousness Top: The buffer in the fall. Bottom: Abby Kaija ‘20 removes invasive plants from the buffer. to focus on all the work ahead of us, but it is also important to days at ALLARM. My role in the project has varied over the years, remember the success of our site. Compared to literature values, from digging holes and planting trees to choosing tree species and our trees have a very high survival rate. Looking forward, proper organizing volunteer days at the site. I look forward to the future maintenance will allow for future use of the site for field trips and growth of the trees and the use of the site as an educational space. as habitat for small animals, as well as provide an opportunity for As I prepare to pass this project on to my fellow ALLARMies, I am students to explore the agricultural potential of the hazelnut and reminded of the ALLARMies who passed this project to me and I persimmon trees planted in phase 3. think of them fondly. I am so grateful to have been a part of a project I am personally very proud of our stream restoration site, that has truly come to encompass everything that ALLARM stands and it has been a privilege to work on this project since my first for.
2017 29 ALLARM’s Shale Gas Database By: Yueli Liang
n 2010, ALLARM developed a shale gas protocol for early detection data analyses. Initially, ALLARM had a partnership with Penn State and reporting of surface water contamination in response to and used their Shale Network as a way to publicize the shale gas data. Irequests from community members. Like other monitoring We collected all the data from our volunteers on a regular basis, then projects, we hope our volunteers not only monitor streams and our student watershed coordinators managed the data in a master collect data, but also understand the impacts that are related to Excel spreadsheet, and lastly our full-time staff uploaded the data shale gas extraction. So we began to train our volunteer monitors to into the Shale Network. Since the Shale Network was designed for collect, , troubleshoot, understand, and take ownership of their data. academic purposes, few of our volunteers could access this online One of the recommendations (Monitoring Marcellus) for continued database because of its complexity. In September 2014, ALLARM collection and analysis of data is to develop a central, user-friendly applied for a grant of $20,000 from the Foundation for Pennsylvania database for volunteers to submit their data and receive preliminary Watersheds to create a volunteer-friendly online shale gas database.
A view of ALLARM’s database, ALLARMwater.org. Data have been uploaded for 16 counties and 248 sites. There are 5,170 recorded obser- vations across these sites.
The goal of this database is to simplify the data entry process, to no began to create the new online database in January 2015. In the increase the accessibility of the data both for our volunteers and the database, each monitor has a profile page, known as “My Data,” in public, and to make everyone’s work more efficient. which observations, sites, customized maps, and brief statistics can After we received this full grant in January 2015, ALLARM be found. Monitors can see their local data as well as regional data to collaborated with CitSci.org to create this new shale gas online da- see the data collected by other ALLARM monitors. Jinnie Monismith, tabase. CitSci.org is a website developed by the Natural Resources ALLARM’s Assistant Director, helped build in some quality control Ecology Lab (NREL) at Colorado State University, designed to provide and quality assurance (QA/QC) logic on the website for the data tools for citizen science organizations to meet their needs. ALLARM entry process, which can verify if volunteers entered credible num- students conducted a lot of research and interviews for the early bers. In the fall of 2015, a group of monitors from Westmoreland and planning. Through interactions with Citsci, volunteers, and other AL- Bradford County helped ALLARM test the website with some sample LARM collaborators, our former Outreach Manager Holden Sparaci- data; their feedback was then incorporated into the development.
30 Stream of Consciousness As an ALLARM watershed coordinator working with the coordinates for one site, she and Holden contacted those monitors shale gas project, I worked a lot with Holden on data cleaning and to find out where their site was truly located by sending them maps data management. I started working at ALLARM in September 2015, to identify their correct monitoring site. and my first shale gas task was to enter data sent by our volunteers Over the summer of 2016, we began to roll out the new da- through email or mail and conducted QA/QC measures to verify the tabase slowly, with remaining bugs on the website. Holden aligned data with my partner Jake Beley. We entered them in a master Excel the uploaded county data with the schedule of which counties we file and further verified the data. Along with the new data, we also planned to visit with volunteer monitors in person and train people validated all the historical data to ensure that our Excel data matched on how to use the database through check-in meetings and work- what the volunteers sent. One example of a typical inconsistency shops during the summer. By the end of the fall of 2016, ALLARM was in our data file where we had a column for “stage”; however, and volunteers uploaded almost all of the Pennsylvania data. In ad- when monitors sent us data, some did not note if they measured in dition to working on Pennsylvania volunteer data, I also verified the a stream or from a bridge, a detail that influences stage. To correct New York data coordinates ready to upload to our online database. this, Jake and I worked on separating the different stage measure- Candie Wilderman, ALLARM’s science advisor, is using the ments. In addition, we standardized the unit of stage measurement new database to help our volunteer monitors with their data analy- from feet with inches to feet and GPS coordinates from degree, min- sis and interpretation: “It was like ‘Click, click, click’ and with a cou- ute and second to decimal. ple of clicks, I’ve got this huge amount of data. It is organized, and it Another issue we had to tackle in the database was creating is troubleshot. I couldn’t believe it; it would be so much easier.” By new monitoring site IDs so each stream and monitoring site would now, we have 5,000 observations just from our Pennsylvania sites be located appropriately. For each location, Jinnie created an ID us- in the database. Volunteers still have the option to send us physical ing a naming system that has the abbreviation of the stream names data sheets and Excel data sheets if they would like to, but now they plus the distance in miles upstream from the confluence with the have a better option to use our online database. In this database, next stream. In that way, if people are looking at multiple sites on we also include all the resources our volunteer monitors might need the same stream, they know which site is upstream and downstream to collect stream data successfully. All the data are available to the from one another. I helped verify the site location on Google maps public, and free to download online through allarmwater.org. We by using the GPS coordinates sent from our volunteers. If there were gained so much experience from creating and managing our shale no streams located at their coordinates, Jinnie would identify the gas online database, and I believe these experiences will be valuable QA/QC data coordinates sent by the same monitor and marry them for any future projects involving work with an online database. with the real GPS coordinates. If she encountered none or multiple
Volunteers looking at maps of their county to decide where to monitor. Their sites are then created in the database so that they can upload their data and view trends.
2017 31 Getting to Know the Big Spring Watershed Association By: Ellen Bair
Big Spring Watershed volunteers learn to use the LaMotte Tracer PockeTester conductivity meter. cross Pennsylvania, community watershed groups work gradually downstream or is there a significant decrease at some tirelessly to improve the quality of their waterways. Actions point along the stream? Hoping to gather more information and find come in all forms, from monitoring their local streams, some answers, monitors set out to test levels of dissolved oxygen in A the Big Spring Creek. to planting trees, to working with local policy makers to change the construction location of an impending waste treatment plant. Once a week from June 2016 – October 2016, BSWA volun- ALLARM has a rich history of collaborating with groups who develop teers monitored five sites at dawn, recording dissolved oxygen, wa- critical projects such as these across Pennsylvania. While each have ter temperature, weather, precipitation, and any other observations their own mission and goals, all are working to advance the quality made during the sampling event. Mark Spicka, a volunteer monitor, of their local environments. One of ALLARM’s newer partnerships said that the temperature levels were not surprising because the wa- is with the Big Spring Watershed Association (BSWA), located in Big ter stays cool throughout the summer, but results did show that dis- Spring of Cumberland County, PA, just twelve miles west of Carlisle, solved oxygen levels decreased at the lower stretches of Big Spring Creek (Mark Spicka, personal communication). While this discovery PA and the ALLARM office. was important to note, the levels were not low enough to be incapa- Founded in 2001, BSWA’s mission is rooted in “protecting ble of supporting Brook trout populations. This led BSWA to further and managing the natural, cultural, and historical resources found in questioning and brainstorming about the future of their monitoring Big Spring Creek and its watershed, specifically native trout popula- plan. tions” (Big Spring Watershed Association, n.d.). Besides focusing on Though they are not exactly sure where this project will the implementation of new projects, BSWA offers a variety of educa- lead, Spicka noted that BSWA, along with the Fish and Boat Commis- tional events and workshops for community members. This includes sion, are planning to insert stream structures (Mark Spicka, personal activities like fly tying classes, monthly bird walks, trash cleanup communication). These deflectors, he said, should improve habitats days, and an Adopt-A-Highway campaign. for both invertebrates and Brook trout by breaking up some of the While ALLARM has collaborated with the BSWA for years, silt build-up in the lower sections of the stream. Hopefully, this will 2016 brought an exciting new project. BSWA’s commitment to the take BSWA one step closer to finding the answers they are looking restoration, protection, and monitoring of their waterways led to a for. new monitoring effort. BSWA started wondering why certain trout The Big Spring Watershed Association is one example of populations were not appearing in specific locations of their creek. the many incredible watershed groups across Pennsylvania. Their Then they worked with ALLARM to develop a stream monitoring diverse project interests contribute greatly to the volunteers they at- plan. The plan had five main questions: Why do brook trout only -re tract and to the health of their local waterways. ALLARM is excited to produce in upstream sections of the stream? Can brook trout survive see how their project develops and are grateful for their partnership! in downstream sections of the stream? Are there areas of the stream For more information about BSWA and their upcoming events, check that are degraded? Is there a difference in water quality upstream out their website at http://bigspringwatershed.blogspot.com. vs. downstream of Neely Road? Do dissolved oxygen levels decrease
References Big Spring Watershed Association. (n.d.). Retrieved from: http://bigspringwatershed.blogspot.com/
32 Stream of Consciousness LeTort Monitoring: An In-Depth Look By: Xinyi Wu
Xinyi Wu ‘19 (left) and Helen Schlimm ‘17 collect a water sample and take measurements.
f you are interested in fly fishing, you must as fly fishermen” (Macri, 2008). Nowadays, as a means of food, water and recreation for have heard of the LeTort Spring Run in however, difficulties are no longer limited the residents. Improving and maintaining ICarlisle, PA. It is a limestone stream that to the topography of the stream, but are the health of the stream is a definite goal of flows into the Conodoguinet Creek and mainly about the decline of trout numbers the community. ALLARM, as an organization finally to the Chesapeake Bay. Because of in the stream; they just do not show up, whose focus includes monitoring aquatic the abundance of food and typically cooler however appealing the fly rods are. Some resources and engaging the local Carlisle water temperatures, good numbers of people have argued that the reason for community, shares this goal. For 25 years native Brown trout live in this watershed, such a decline is the decline in the amount and counting, ALLARM has monitored the making it a wonderful fishery. At the same of aquatic insects, one of trout’s major food LeTort on a regular basis. We are contracted time, the LeTort is famous for how difficult resources. Such insects may have been killed by the LeTort Regional Authority to do the it is to fish. According to Gene Macri, a off by pesticide runoff; however, not enough monitoring, collect baseline water quality Pennsylvania-based aquatic scientist and research has been done on this particular data, and report the results. LeTort fly fisher, “the stream environment allows issue to determine the truth of this theory. monitoring is a popular activity among our the trout to be extremely selective and thus Nonetheless, one thing is clear: water quality student Watershed Coordinators. the fishermen have to adapt new methods of the LeTort should be paid close attention LeTort monitoring has occurred ei- and techniques” (Macri, 2008). Charles to, not only by anglers, but by all residents ther monthly or every other month, cover- Fox, the legendary angler, also describes it in this district as well. Running all the way ing between 7 and 13 sites each time. The as the stream that “makes us what we are through Carlisle, this stream has long served purpose of the monitoring is to take water
2017 33 quality measurements and then compare up rainwater, which eventually ends up in from 1992 to 2016, the Letort’s average Total them to baseline data, in order to check if the streams (stormwater) (USGS, 2016). pH, Dissolved Solids measurement is 313 mg/L, everything is going well in the stream. Mea- the relative acidity versus alkalinity of the compared to the State Standard of 500 mg/L surements are taken both at site and then water, makes it possible to predict how the at most. Nitrate and pH also appear to be again in the lab, when samples are tested for stream may react to future acid rainfall. Con- satisfactory. The 24-year monitoring shows different parameters. Parameters that are ductivity, which measures water’s ability to that the average number of these two are relatively easy to monitor include dissolved conduct electricity, indicates the quantity of 4.1 mg/L and 7.7, respectively, with State oxygen, temperature, pH, conductivity, and dissolved ions, like inorganic compounds and Standards of 10 mg/L and a pH between 6.5 the growing condition of aquatic vegetation. heavy metals or salts, in the water. Some and 8.5. The only standard not met is the All of these parameters can be measured other water conditions, however, are not as turbidity, which measures how clear the wa- simply by reading the number shown on the easy to measure with our equipment. For ex- ter is. While drinking water in Pennsylvania meter screen or through visual observation. ample, the tests for phosphate and nitrate, is supposed to be clearer than 1 Nephelo- These data indicate a lot about what is going which indicate to what degree the water metric Turbidity Unit (NTU), the average tur- on under the water’s surface. The amount has been influenced by fertilizers and other bidity level of the Letort is 4.8 NTU, almost 5 of oxygen dissolved in water closely relates organic pollutants, involve more complicat- times higher than the standard. Concerning to the living standards of aquatic organisms; ed equipment and reagents, and cannot be as it may seem, and truly unsuitable for the like humans, they need to breathe as well. done at the stream. The ALLARM lab team human body as it is, such a level of turbidi- An oxygen deficient situation can cause a does this testing when the monitoring group ty still creates quite a good environment for water body “to die” (The USGS Water Sci- returns from the stream, using a tabletop trout, because these fish can live well as long ence School [USGS], 2017), and this happens spectrophotometer. as the water turbidity is lower than 10 NTU. most often during summer with higher tem- So what can Letort monitoring data So, lucky fly fishermen! peratures. The higher the temperature, the tell us? They actually indicate the fact that It is great to know that the LeTort less oxygen the water can hold, which ex- the water quality of this stream has been in is a healthy stream. However, its relatively plains why water temperature is also an im- a quite good condition over time. A straight- steady clean condition does not mean that portant measurement. Yet dissolved oxygen forward way to show this is to compare the it is no longer necessary to keep an eye on is not the only thing that is related to water testing results with the Pennsylvania Drink- its water quality. ALLARM has been monitor- temperature. It may also indicate how sur- ing Water Standards. Though not every mea- ing the Letort for over two decades, and will rounding land is used. For instance, streams surement that ALLARM takes is regulated, definitely continue to do so well into the fu- going through urbanized areas generally the maximum level of those that do appear ture. After all, ALLARM calls this watershed have higher temperatures, because sun- in the standards are always far higher than home. baked parking lots and roads can easily heat the average level of the Letort. For example,
Lab team members test samples brought back from LeTort monitoring.
References Macri, G. (2008). The Letort in Fly Fishing History. Retrieved from http://letortspringrun.com/The-Letort-in-Fly-Fishing-History.html Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. (2006, April). Division of Drinking Water Management, Maximum Contaminant Levels, Maximum Residual Disinfectant Levels. The USGS Water Science School. (2017). Water Properties: Dissolved Oxygen. Retrieved from https://water.usgs.gov/edu/dissolvedoxygen.html The USGS Water Science School. (2016). Water Properties: Temperature. Retrieved from https://water.usgs.gov/edu/temperature.html
34 Stream of Consciousness The Wave of Community Action By: Juliet Risko
A satellite view of the Chesapeake Bay. Photo: “Chesapeakelandsat” [c] Wikimedia Commons 2005. Courtesy of Landsat/NASA.
f ever in doubt of the Chesapeake Bay’s crucial importance as an as well as opportunities for recreation and education. The rivers aquatic resource, one need only be reminded that the Bay is an and streams that flow into the Chesapeake Bay serve as a source Iestuary (where freshwater and seawater meet) ranging 200 miles, of drinking water for 75% of the watershed’s 17 million residents comprised of more than 50 major rivers and streams, and part of (Chesapeake Bay Foundation, 2017). the 64,000 mile watershed filled with various natural and industrial Due to the Chesapeake Bay’s important role in many habitats (Chesapeake Bay Foundation, 2017). Estuaries such as this different communities, individuals have taken action in various one provide habitat for thousands of different wildlife species. They forms to raise awareness about the issues of the Bay and improve also provide economic benefits through the fish and crab industry, the overall health of the resource these communities greatly depend
2017 35 on. In 1972, citizens called for Congress to pass the Clean Water Act, embracing action by collecting and analyzing water quality data in which led to the Chesapeake Bay’s presence among others on the their own communities and discussing ways to improve water health. “dirty waters list” (Chesapeake Bay Foundation, 2014). This provided Another example is the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, a non- more exposure for clean-up initiatives through State and Federal profit organization that encourages restoring health to the Bay through programs, as well as “grassroots,” or community-started, efforts education. It promotes outdoor education programs for children within the watershed. to learn the components of the Bay’s ecosystem, the Chesapeake One such example is the Choose Clean Water Coalition, Bay watershed, as well as the role of their own neighborhood in which encourages individuals and community members to take protecting the environment. Engaging communities in the discussion initiative by sending messages to Congress, local representatives, about Chesapeake Bay and “dirty water” restoration efforts is critical and newspapers about legislation that improve the health of to the process of improving the health of the environment on both the watershed. The technique of empowering individual action district and watershed levels (Chesapeake Bay Foundation, n.d.). Not is important to progressing the health of the Chesapeake Bay. only are they immediately influenced by any negative effects that Community members see the effects of human influence and develop, but individuals also are more motivated to pursue a goal of pollution first-hand in their areas and must live with the consequences improvement when they can see the progression of their efforts; in of it. Therefore, they feel the need to act upon these issues from an this case, in the form of improved diversity of wildlife, clean water, individual level. Citizen science is a great example of communities and reduced pollution in the vital Chesapeake Bay watershed.
The Chesapeake Bay provides important habitat for species like the Great Egret. Photo: “Great Egret” by mellow cat is licensed under CC BY 2.0.
References Chesapeake Bay Foundation. (n.d.). How we save the Bay: Through restoration. Retrieved from http://www.cbf.org/how-we-save-the-bay/through-restoration/ Chesapeake Bay Foundation. (2014). State of the Bay. Retrieved from http://www.cbf.org/about-the-bay/state-of-the-bay-report/2016/index.html Chesapeake Bay Foundation. (2017). Geography and facts. Retrieved from http://www.cbf.org/about-the-bay/chesapeake-bay-watershed-geography-and-facts.html
36 Stream of Consciousness Senior Reflections
Left to right: Julie Vastine, Natalie McNeill ‘17, Yueli Liang ‘18, Ellen Bair ‘17, Claire Jordy ‘17, Helen Schlimm ‘17, Caroline Kanaskie ‘17, Olivia Boggiano-Peterson ‘17, Jinnie Monismith.
Olivia Boggiano-Peterson ‘17 at her Lawns and LeTort presentation. Ellen Bair ‘17 talking about her work at ALLARM during the Snapchat takeover. 2017 37 Claire Jordy I began working at ALLARM my sophomore year, without any previous knowledge of water quality issues. I initially thought ALLARM would be the perfect campus job because it was partially inside, partially outside. It is funny to think that was all I was looking for in a job, because it was these experiences, inside and outside, that changed my personal interests and career path. ALLARM also helped me find my place at Dickinson; before ALLARM, I had transfer applications filled out because I did not feel comfortable at Dickinson. ALLARM provided me with community connections, meaningful knowledge, and a family. I realize what I was missing at Dickinson was contact with people younger and older than me, which is often hard to find on a college campus. At ALLARM, I worked with elementary through high school students, as well as senior citizens passionate about improving their local environment. ALLARM also took me off-campus to teach me about the local area, which made me feel more “at home” in Carlisle. When people ask me what my most influential experiences at Dickinson were, I immediately say ALLARM, along with my internship and off-campus study. ALLARM gave me practical tools that classes could not. My experience at AL- LARM not only helped me fill out my resume but to build my confidence in my knowledge, skills, and communication. I cannot wait to take what I have learned to my next job, improving water quality in Tennessee!
Olivia Boggiano-Peterson When I first began working at ALLARM, I had no idea what I would be doing after graduation or let alone what type of job I would want. I came to ALLARM as an Environmental Studies major with half an idea of what citizen science was but knowing that I wanted to gain experi- ence working in the environmental field. I started the second semester of my junior year as an Outreach Coordinator and quickly found that I loved the work. I was creating monthly Water Fact posters and using Adobe InDesign, which I had never done before. When I moved to the Stormwater Education Team this past year, I brought my newly learned graphic design skills along with my growing interest in community outreach. This interest has expanded over the past year through my work helping to organize and present at a rain barrel workshop, orga- nizing a stormwater education walk, and the Lawns and LeTort initiative that I’ve spearheaded this semester. As my last semester at ALLARM comes to a close, I can see that ALLARM has completely shaped my professional and personal goals by giving me the opportunity to work in outreach and community education with colleagues who share my interests. I have so enjoyed my time getting to know all of the incredible people who work at ALLARM, both students and directors. With graduation close on the horizon, I am hoping to continue the community outreach work I’ve done at ALLARM in the next phase of my life. While I am still unsure of what this next phase will be, I am confident that my experience here at ALLARM will guide me as I find my way.
Helen Schlimm It is difficult for me to describe how meaningful my time at ALLARM has been. The two years and a summer I worked here are among the most rewarding and unforgettable experiences I have had at Dickinson. I was drawn to ALLARM because of the community engagement aspect and the chances to get my feet wet and work in a lab. I started my sophomore year as a lab coordinator, testing water quality sam- ples under our shale gas quality assurance-quality control protocol. I also had the awesome opportunity to participate in a couple shale gas workshops in NY and PA that year and while I worked over the summer. The skills and experiences I gained both from water quality analysis lab work and community volunteer engagement are crucial. My senior year I returned from a year abroad in Germany to dive into the new Chesapeake Bay grant initiative. This subject has always been near and dear to my heart, as a native Marylander. I created several materials relating to monitoring in the Chesapeake watershed including bay policy, water quality parameters, and a comprehensive volunteer moni- toring presentation. So many of my passions and future interests developed out of my ALLARM work, especially the drive to communicate science and apply it to policy-making in a way that empowers communities. Beyond all the skills, knowledge, and time having fun in streams that I gained here, what I cherish and will miss the most are the close friends I have made and worked with over the years. All the ALLARM directors and my fellow ALLARMies are family and will always be special to me. I have so many happy memories full of laughter, sass, and macroinvertebrates from my time here, with people who constantly inspired me. I cannot imagine my time at Dickinson without this won- derful organization and I am so grateful for everything it has taught me. Wherever life takes me next, I look forward to applying my ALLARM background and staying in touch with everyone who has made my time here so meaningful.
38 Stream of Consciousness Julie Vastine (left) and Claire Jordy ‘17 present at the Pennsylvania Watersheds Conference.
Allison Curley ‘19 (left), Abby Kaija ‘20, Olivia Boggiano-Peterson ‘17, and Tom O’Donnell ‘19 at a rain barrel workshop.
Jake Beley ‘18 (left), Helen Schlimm ‘17, and Juliet Risko ‘19 at the LeTort Spring Run cleanup.
2017 39 Yueli Liang ‘18 measures the depth of the LeTort. Photo courtesy Joe O’Neill.
Natalie McNeill ‘17 practices marking storm drains. Caroline Kanaskie ‘17 at the Dickinson College buffer.
40 Stream of Consciousness Yueli Liang Working at ALLARM means a lot to me. I worked at ALLARM for two years and a summer and my ALLARM experience was amazing! I had emailed Candie about my interest in freshwater systems before my enrollment at Dickinson and she informed me about ALLARM. I was very excited about this organization, so I emailed ALLARM in the first semester of my freshman year and waited until April to fill out my applica- tion. I was so lucky to work with ALLARMies on campus because we all share the same goal of protecting our waterways! I love my work at ALLARM, I love my ALLARMies, and I love my volunteer monitors, because I feel empowered working with them. After I joined ALLARM, I learned about citizen science, volunteer monitoring and non-profits. In my first year, I learned lab skills through an- alyzing shale gas data and field techniques doing LeTort monitoring, and worked with Holden, the previous outreach manager, on shale gas data management. I learned about our volunteers from the data they send to us. Although I never met them, I know who collected credible data and who collected data frequently. In the summer of 2016, I finally got a chance to present at shale gas workshop and go to a follow-up meeting with Holden to meet some volunteers, some of whose names I recognized. I felt motivated doing my work back in the office after I saw their dedication and eagerness to protect their waterways. This year, I worked on organizing the shale gas data to make sure they were ready to upload to the online database and did shale gas phase II data analysis with Candie to construct thank you letters for our volunteers with information, data interpretation and future recommendation for their monitoring site.
Natalie McNeill I came to Dickinson College knowing that I would major in Environmental Science, but I had no idea that I would wind up working for AL- LARM. Before Dickinson, I did not know what citizen science was, let alone that it existed. I learned about citizen science and water quality issues in two classes during my sophomore year, which helped me realize that these are subjects I am interested in and wanted to pursue in a non-profit, professional setting. I had never thought about how much power citizens have to protect their precious water resources from hydraulic fracturing (fracking), agriculture, development, or any other possible sources of water quality pollution, through volunteer moni- toring. During my time as a Watershed Coordinator over the summer after my junior year, I had the opportunity to participate in a shale gas workshop where I taught volunteers how to monitor for potential fracking impacts on streams and attended a follow-up meeting with shale gas volunteers where I went monitoring with volunteers and saw their sampling sites. These experiences solidified for me how passionate I am about volunteer monitoring. Based on my positive experiences at ALLARM and with volunteers at workshops and meetings, I decided my senior research project would be about aquatic citizen scientists’ motivations to voluntarily monitor their waterways. With the help of ALLARM staff, I was able to interview 21 ALLARM volunteers about their motivations to monitor and about their water quality concerns. I am thankful to ALLARM for teaching me the importance of empowering communities and building scientific literacy through developing a monitoring protocol. I know that I want to continue to study and work with volunteer monitors and citizen scientists, and I cannot wait to see where this interest takes me after graduation. I am also extremely grateful that I had the opportunity to work with such amazing colleagues who are so dedicated to their work. ALLARM is a family that has supported me these past two years – thank you for everything.
Caroline Kanaskie My time at ALLARM has been one of the most impactful facets of my Dickinson experience. My interest in environmental science stems from concerns about water quality, having grown up in the coal region of Pennsylvania and seeing the impacts of acid mine drainage on small streams. I am grateful to have been able to work in the water quality realm, conducting shale gas workshops, managing shale gas data, and planting a stream restoration site. The skill set I have developed through my work at ALLARM has been useful in my academic and profes- sional experiences at Dickinson and otherwise, and I am excited to apply these skills in graduate school. Clear science communication has been a staple through all my ALLARM experiences, and I am looking forward to sharing new science with new communities as I continue into the field of scientific research. The support of my colleagues and ALLARM directors has been a pivotal element of my successful endeavors at ALLARM and beyond. I think fondly of ALLARM as a community helping communities. I will never forget the relationships and connections I have made, and I am excited to see new ALLARMies learn and grow as I have! ALLARM in Pictures
Candie Wilderman (left), Cheyenne Moore ‘18, Claire Jordy ‘17, Helen Schlimm ‘17, Yueli Liang ‘18, Nick Long ‘19, and Caroline Kanaskie ‘17 at ALLARM orientation.
Cheyenne Moore ‘18 helps Diakon students identify macroinver- Jake Beley ‘18 monitors the LeTort Spring Run. tebrates.
Tom O’Donnell ‘19 presenting at a rain barrel workshop.
42 Stream of Consciousness Some of the ALLARM staff goes bowling. Top row (L to R): Caroline Kanaskie ‘17, Juliet Risko ‘19, Helen Schlimm ‘17, Claire Jordy ‘17, Xinyi Wu ‘19, Natalie McNeill The ALLARM 2016-2017 staff. ‘17, Allison Curley ‘19 Bottom row (L to R):Tom O’Donnell ‘19, Abby Kaija ‘20, and Yueli Liang ‘18.
Helen Schlimm ‘17 presents about Chesapeake Bay health and policy for a Dickinson Col- Ellen Bair ‘17 (left) and Jinnie Monismith at lege class. the Dive Deeper Conference.
The ALLARM staff meeting with the Center for Sustainability Education (CSE) staff to talk about each organization’s work.
2017 43 Alliance for Aquatic Resource Monitoring Non-Profit Organization PO Box 1773 Carlisle, PA 17013-2896 U.S. Postage PAID Carlisle, PA Permit No. 173