If you are interested in becoming a volunteer with the APNEP Citizen’s Monitoring Network, please CLICK HERE and complete the brief questionnaire.  The program coordinator will get back with you within 2-3 business days.  You may also contact him directly using the contact information below:

Chad Smith

250 Flanagan Building

East Carolina University

Greenville, NC 27858-4353

252-328-1747 (Office)

252-328-4265 (Fax)

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Why Should Citizens Participate in Water Quality Monitoring?

First, we need your help!  The estuary is a large and diverse region and is too big to adequately monitor with government agency resources.  The estuary has a 30,000 square mile watershed with more than 9,299 miles of freshwater rivers and streams and 1.8 million acres of brackish, estuarine waters.  The watershed also contains six river basins and is the second largest estuary in the United States, second to Chesapeake Bay.  Because the estuary is so large and the impacts are so diverse, the assistance of everyone is needed to monitor the estuary.  The wide expanse of waters that makes up the estuary is often more accessible to local citizens who live near it.  Citizens help allow us to "fill the gaps" left open by limited government resources.

How do I become a CMN Volunteer?

Anyone can become a CMN Volunteer.  If interested, please contact me through email, U.S. mail, or telephone.  Contact information is listed at the top of the page.

I have a group interested in volunteering, is this possible?

Certainly, group volunteers are welcome.  Group formation is ideal for those who want to volunteer but have limited time.  Additionally, groups can either select one location or take on multiple monitoring locations in the area.  

What happens after you contact me?

We will discuss and select the nearest monitoring location in your area.  Afterwards, a water quality kit will be prepared for you along with field data sheets.  A meeting will be mutually arranged and I will travel to your location to train you in monitoring duties.  The training session should last between 60-90 minutes. 

What are monitoring duties?  How long does it take?

Duties include collecting data at your designated site(s) using the provided water quality kit and data sheets.  Sites are monitored once a week to once every other week, depending on seasonal patterns.  Since water quality naturally changes over the course of the day, the time you monitor should stay the same.  Field data sheets should be mailed after 4 monitoring sessions (to cut back on postage costs).  Stamped, return envelopes will be provided.

The first time you monitor, it may take 30-45 minutes to complete the data sheet.  However, you will find that as you become more comfortable with monitoring, your completion time may decrease to 15-20 minutes. 

What do you do if you run out of supplies?

If supplies are close to becoming depleted, please contact me through U.S. mail, telephone, or email.  Contact information is listed at the top of the page.  Supplies will then be mailed to your provided address.  To speed the process, please include the catalog number of the item(s) with your request.

Where does the data go?

The data that you provide goes into an organized database and then distributed to various local/state agencies upon request.  Trained analysts use this data to identify long-term trends and changes in the system's water quality.  Furthermore, data is also requested by individuals from universities and other agencies who require long-term data to conduct other research projects.  Your dedication to the Citizens' Monitoring Network will provide the scientific community with valuable information that will lead to a better, cleaner estuary.

In addition, draft reports are available on this website.  These reports are summaries of water quality data that has been submitted for a particular monitoring area.  These reports will either cover one year of data or multiple years for annual comparisons.  Please keep in mind that these reports have not been peer reviewed and should not be used in a court of law.  Monitors may contact me if they would like a draft report for their area.     

How can I promote environmental awareness?

The best answer is to "share the knowledge."  As monitors, get your family and friends involved.  Take them with you during your monitoring sessions.  Tell them what you are testing for and why it is important.  Keep in mind that I am available to come and speak to classes or groups about environmental awareness.  If interested in setting up a mutual day and time, please contact me (my contact information is at the top of the page).