The ACD Is calling for volunteers to jumpstart our new Cedar River Volunteer Stream Monitoring Program. If you are looking for ways to contribute and have an interest in our beautiful stream ecosystems, this program is for you! Please join us on September 16th from 9 am-12 pm for our first Volunteer Stream Monitoring Training event and help us launch this exciting new program! Sign up here!

What is the Volunteer Stream Monitoring Program (VSMP)? 
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The Volunteer Stream Monitoring Program is a citizen science program that follows standards set by the Michigan Clean Water Corps (MiCorps) for data collection and reporting. The data can be used to assess stream health and changes over time and can be compared across sites. Data collected through this program is shared across the state of Michigan for use in water resources management and protection programs. 

The Cedar River VSMP is the start of a dedicated effort by the ACD to monitor water quality in Antrim County. The monitoring efforts on the Cedar River are only the beginning of what we hope will be a county-wide effort by the ACD and our volunteers to monitor the health of our rivers and streams.

Volunteers will collect samples at designated sites twice each year, once in the spring and again in the fall. Teams of 2 or more individuals – a team leader, collector, and picker(s) - will collect macroinvertebrates and complete habitat assessment and stream characteristic data forms at their site. The collected macroinvertebrates will be identified by trained volunteers and experts at a later date. The data collected will be used to gauge the health of the stream, compare water quality between sites, and identify any areas of concern. 
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What to expect at the training session:

Training will begin at the ACD office, where volunteers will be provided with more information about the program and its goals. You will be introduced to the aquatic macroinvertebrates, field equipment, necessary forms, and collection methods. Afterward, we will head down to the Cedar River for a hands-on training session where volunteers will learn how to utilize the equipment to collect samples and fill out the data sheets. All equipment necessary for sampling is provided, but you are welcome to bring your own waders if you have them. This fun and informative training session will prepare you to lead a team of other volunteers at future monitoring events!
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For more information, please contact Kyle Williams at [email protected] or 231-533-8363 Ext. 3.