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“Stream School” Welcomes Citizen-Scientists to Help Monitor Local Rivers and Streams

citizen science program flyerUnion County, NJ – Union County residents who are interested in protecting rivers and streams can join the Stream School program, a citizen-scientist project that trains volunteers to monitor local waterways in Union County and nearby communities. Stream School is hosted by the Rahway River Watershed Association with training provided by the AmeriCorps NJ Watershed Ambassadors, a program of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.

“Stream School provides an opportunity for Union County residents to make a real difference, by learning about water monitoring and applying their knowledge to local rivers and streams,” said Board of Commissioners Chairman Alexander Mirabella.

Stream School is a workshop series that introduces local volunteers to water quality monitoring and assessment. No prior experience is necessary. Any person over age of 16 may enroll. Minors under age 18 will need to be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

The full series consists of three virtual workshops on April 7, 8, and 9, followed by an in-person field workshop on April 11. Union County residents who are interested in participating in Stream School on a non-certified basis are welcome to attend the first two workshops in the series.

To be certified for official data collection, participants must attend all four workshops, undergo a field audit, and pass a test. Certified participants are qualified to join the Rahway River Watershed Association’s Stream Team program, and will be assigned to a local monitoring station.

To register for Stream School, call 908-472-6152 or visit thewatershed.doubleknot.com/stream-school-april-2021. Registrants will be able to choose the certified or non-certified path when registering.

The Union County Board of Commissioners supports the Watershed Ambassador program for New Jersey Water Management Area 7 through the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Union County, a program of the Rutgers New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station with offices in the Union County complex at 300 North Avenue East in Westfield. For more information on all Extension programs and activities, visit ucnj.org/rce.

To contact the Area 7 Watershed Ambassador email watershedma7@gmail.com or call the Extension offices, 908-654-9854 (x 7554).

The Rahway River Watershed Association is a non-profit organization dedicated to the protection and restoration of the Rahway River. RRWA works in cooperation with the Union County Department of Parks and Recreation, and with local communities and organizations, to provide opportunities for education, curriculum support activities, community awareness, and environmental stewardship. To learn more, visit rahwayriver.org.

To learn more about volunteering in Union County parks, and for quick links to other environmental programs and activities in Union County, visit The Green Connection at ucnj.org/green-connection.

For more information and updates on all Union County services during the COVID-19 outbreak, including the Drive-Through Test Center at Kean University, the Mobile Test Unit walk-up sites, vaccination information, emergency food distribution and other support services, visit ucnj.org/covid19. General information about COVID-19 is available through the New Jersey Department of Health at nj.gov/health.

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For all Union County programs and services visit ucnj.org, call the Public Info Line, 877-424-1234, email info@ucnj.org or use the online Contact Form.

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