Making a Difference in Maryland Waters
Volunteers agree to participate in a one day training session and then spend about two more days during the March-April sampling window collecting aquatic invertebrate samples from stream beds.
Training consists of four basic parts:
- classroom instruction,
- GPS familiarization,
- actual sample collection practice (Bring your waders!),
- and choosing your watershed to sample
Stream Waders Contents
2012 Training and Sampling Information!
Sample Agenda for a Stream Waders Training Session (.pdf)
Presentation on collecting data on stream blockages (This is shown at training)
Maryland Department of Natural Resources' (DNR) Stream Waders Volunteer Stream Sampling Program is gearing up for another exciting year! Info on updcoming training sessions is coming soon, and the areas that are to be sampled in 2012 are illustrated below.
Maryland Department of Natural Resources' (DNR) Stream Waders Volunteer Stream Sampling Program is gearing up for another exciting year! In 2012, we will be holding four Stream Waders training sessions:
- JUG BAY REGISTRATION IS FULL. PLEASE SELECT ANOTHER TRAINING.
Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary (Anne Arundel County)
February 4th, 2012 (Register by January 27th) - Due to low enrollment, the Horn Point training has been CANCELLED.
Horn Point Center for Environmental Sciences (Dorchester County)
February 11th, 2012 (Register by February 3rd) - Fairview Outdoor Education Center (Washington County)
February 25th, 2012 (Register by February 17th) - NorthBay Adventure Camp (Cecil County)
March 10th, 2012 (Register by March 2nd)
DNR needs your help to fill the gaps in areas being sampled by Maryland Biological Stream Survey crews in 2012 (see green areas on the map above) as well as areas that have not been previously sampled by Stream Waders volunteers (light purple areas on the map). And this year, we’re planning some special sampling in Garrett County (Phase 1, pink areas)to gather baseline data in the Marcellus Shale region in western Maryland. So please come learn how you can help Stream Waders contribute to Maryland’s statewide water quality monitoring.
If you’re a member of a watershed organization and are interested in sampling in an area that’s not on the map, we invite you to contact us as we may be able to accommodate you. And of course, if you are not already a member of a watershed group, we're hoping you'll join up with folks from one or get together with some friends and help assess the health of local streams. Everyone is invited to help monitor, restore, and protect our waterways.
2012 Stream Waders Training Sessions
(8:30 – 3:30)
- We usually start around 9:00 A.M. but we ask that you come a little early to check in and enjoy a small complementary, continental style breakfast (juice, coffee, water, donuts, etc.)
- Please pack your own lunch as we will be taking a break between the lecture training and the outside field training.
- Remember to pack plenty of warm clothes that you don’t mind getting wet. Waders are a plus!!
AND…
Capacity is limited, so PLEASE
Register in advance, by the dates listed above!!
To register for a training session or to receive more information, email streamwaders@dnr.state.md.us or call the Stream Waders hotline at 1-877-620-8DNR (x8623). Please provide your name, affiliation, contact information (including mailing address and email), and expected training location.
A very informative Frequently Asked Questions page can be found at
http://www.dnr.state.md.us/streams/mbss/w_faq.html.
Thanks and we look forward to hearing from you!
Directions to Training Locations:
February 4th - Jug Bay Wetlands Sanctuary:
1361 Wrighton Rd, Lothian, MD 20711
From Annapolis: From West St. at Parole, take Route 2 south 18 miles. At the Lothian "circle" go 3/4 of the way around and stay on Route 2. Go past the fire station, schools and St. James Church (on left) until the next stoplight at Route 258; go right (west) on Rt. 258. Continue on Route 258 for 4.5 miles until this ends near the "Park and Ride" just after crossing over Route 4. At the stop sign, turn onto Wrighton Rd. and continue for 1.5 miles to Sanctuary entrance on LEFT. Follow the gravel drive about 1 mile to the parking area for the Wetlands Center.
From Baltimore At The Baltimore Beltway (Route 695): From Route 695, take I-97 south. I-97 ends at Route 50. Take Route 50 West/301 South. 301 South will split from Route 50. Continue on Rt. 301 south to Route 4 at Upper Marlboro. Go east/south on Rt. 4 for 3 miles (1.5 miles after crossing over the Patuxent River) to the "Plummer Lane" exit on right. Follow Plummer Lane for 1/2 mile to Wrighton Road. Go right on Wrighton Rd. and continue for 1/2 mile to Sanctuary entrance on LEFT. Follow the gravel drive about 1 mile to the parking area for the Wetlands Center.
From Washington DC: Take Pennsylvania Ave. east to Capital Beltway (Rt. 495). At the Beltway, Penn. Ave. becomes Rt. 4; follow Rt. 4 east/south for about 10.5 miles to the "Plummer Lane" exit. (Plummer Lane is 3 miles east of Rt. 301 and 1.5 miles east of the Patuxent River). Exit right at Plummer Lane and go 1/2 mile to Wrighton Road. Go right on Wrighton Rd. and continue for 1/2 mile to Sanctuary entrance on LEFT. Follow the gravel drive about 1 mile to the parking area for the Wetlands Center.
From Calvert County: Take Rt. 4 north and exit at the "Bristol-Deale" exit (Rt. 258). At stop sign go left over Rt. 4, and continue to stop sign at Wrighton Road (near "Park and Ride"). At the stop sign, turn onto Wrighton Road and continue for 1.5 miles to Sanctuary entrance on LEFT. Follow the gravel drive about 1 mile to the parking area for the Wetlands Center.
More information about Jug Bay can be found at http://www.jugbay.org
February 11th – Horn Point Center for Environmental Sciences:
2020 Horns Point Road, Cambridge, MD 21613
From Baltimore: From the Baltimore (Maryland) Beltway, I695,take I97 south to Rt. 50/301 east to the Chesapeake Bay Bridge. Once on the Eastern Shore, stay on Rt. 50 to Cambridge, MD, crossing the Choptank River on the Frederick Malkus Bridge.
From WashingtonD.C.: Take Rt 50 east from the Washington DC Beltway I95/495, to Cambridge, MD on Maryland's Eastern Shore, crossing the Choptank River on the Frederick Malkus Bridge. After the bridge, go to 3rd stop light and turn right. Go one block and turn right again onto Washington St. (Rt. 343). Stay on this road for about 3.5 miles. Look for the UMCES sign on the right side of the road. Bear right on Horn Point Rd. Continue for about 1.5 miles. The entrance to the lab is flanked by two brick pillars with rams. The reception desk is in the first building on the right at about .5 miles down the lane.
February 25th – Fairview Outdoor Center:
12808 Draper Rd, Clearspring MD, 21722
From Interstate 70 at Clear Spring (Exit 18, Maryland Rt. 68); go north into the town of Clear Spring about three blocks and turn left onto US Route 40; go west one block and turn right at the traffic light onto Martin St.; at the end of Martin Street turn right on Broadfording Rd. and continue for about 100 yards; turn left onto Draper Rd.; go about 1/3 mile and turn left into Fairview Outdoor Education Center (sign); follow the Center’s main road past the large pond on your left; park in the large parking lot on the left; walk up the hill on the paved road following Stream Waders signs to the dining hall.
March 10th - NorthBay Adventure Camp:
11 Horseshoe Point Ln, North East, MD 21901
From Baltimore/Washington: Take I-95 North (from Baltimore heading towards Philadelphia) across the Susquehanna Bridge. Take exit #100, MD-272 (sign will say "North East/Rising Sun".) Keep right (south toward North East) at the fork in the ramp. Merge onto MD-272 south, go 10.5 miles. (You will first pass through the Town of North East, and then pass Sandy Hill Camp (on your left after 9.0 miles). After Sandy Hill, you will see a sign on the left indicating you have entered Elk Neck State Park. When you see the NorthBay sign, turn right off MD-272 into the NorthBay property (Horseshoe Point Lane)...Proceed on driveway (less than a mile) and follow signs to Stream Waders training location.
Species Spotlight
- Long-tailed Salamander
The Long-tailed Salamander (Eurycea longicauda longicauda) This salamander is found everywhere in Maryland except the Coastal Plain. It lives up to its name with a tail that makes up more that 50% of its total length.
Learn more in this informative Fact Sheet