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

• Photos from previous training sessions
• Videos from Stream Wader training and other MBSS projects
• Stream Waders publications
• Searchable Stream Waders data
• Frequently Asked Questions

2013 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! The areas that are to be sampled in 2013 are illustrated below.

In 2013, we will be holding two Stream Waders training sessions:

• Adkins Arboretum (Caroline County)February 9th, 2013 (Register by February 1st)
• Lathrop E. Smith Environmental Education Center (Montgomery County) February 23rd, 2013 (Register by February 15th)

There will also be one Marcellus Monitoring Coalition Training in Western Maryland

• New Germany State Park (Garrett County) March 2nd, 2013 (Register by February 22nd)

*Volunteers attending this training must sample Marcellus Shale watersheds and must join with, or already be a part of a team that participated in this special sampling last year*
For more information about the Marcellus Shale water quality monitoring, go here

   

DNR needs your help to fill the gaps in areas being sampled by Maryland Biological Stream Survey crews in 2013 (see green, blue and orange watersheds on the map above). And this year, we’re continuing the special sampling in Garrett County to gather baseline information related to Marcellus Shale gas exploration (pink areas). 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.

2013 Stream Waders Training Sessions

(9:00 – 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.

Thanks and we look forward to hearing from you!

Directions to Training Locations:

February 9th – Adkins Arboretum: 12610 Eveland Road, P.O. Box 100 Ridgely, MD 21660

FROM ANNAPOLIS AND POINTS WEST:
Take U.S. 50 to U.S. 404. Turn left onto U.S. 404 and go approximately 7 miles to the second stoplight at MD 480. Turn left onto MD 480 and then take the immediate first left onto Eveland Road. The Arboretum is 2 miles ahead on the left.

FROM CENTREVILLE AND POINTS NORTH:
Take MD 304 across U.S. 301. Continue on MD 304 to Ruthsburg and turn right onto MD 481. Go two miles and take the first left onto Crouse Mill Road, which will take you to Crouse Mill Pond. Continue on Crouse Mill Road to Eveland Road, the first road on your right after the pond. Turn right onto Eveland Road. The Arboretum is ¼ mile ahead on your right.

FROM EASTON AND POINTS SOUTH:
From north of Easton on U.S. 50, take Cordova Road (MD 309) to U.S. 404. Turn right onto U.S. 404 and go to the first stoplight at MD 480. Turn left onto MD 480 and take the immediate first left onto Eveland Road. The Arboretum is 2 miles ahead on the left. You can find more information at: http://www.adkinsarboretum.org/

February 23rd – Lathrop E. Smith Environmental Education Center: 5110 Meadowside Lane, Rockville, MD 20855

FROM WASHINTON BELTWAY (I-495):
Take Exit 31 for Georgia Avenue; Travel North on Georgia Avenue past Leisure World; Turn left on Norbeck Road (Route 28); At first light turn right onto Muncaster Mill Road (Route 115); Travel 1.5 miles and turn left onto Meadowside Lane; Take the first right into the L.E. Smith Center parking lot.

FROM I-270 NORTH:
Take exit 8 for Shady Grove Road; Bear Right onto Redland Road; Cross Route 355; Turn right onto Needwood Road; Turn right onto Muncaster Mill Road; Cross Avery Road and turn right onto Meadowside Lane; Take the first right into the L.E. Smith Center parking lot.

FROM I-270 SOUTH:
Take the exit for I-370 towards the Metro; Take the Shady Grove Road exit just before the Metro access; Turn left onto Shady Grove Road East; Pass Midcounty Highway and turn right onto Muncaster Mill Road; Cross Avery Road and turn right onto Meadowside Lane; Take the first right into the L.E. Smith Center parking lot.

You can find more information at: http://www.montgomeryschoolsmd.org/curriculum/outdoored/sites/smith.aspx

March 2nd – New Germany State Park: 349 Headquarters Lane Grantsville, MD 21536

FROM POINTS EAST
Take I-70 to I-68 and travel west through Cumberland, Maryland. Continue west to Exit 22. Turn left at the end of the exit ramp onto Chestnut Ridge Road. Pass Comfort Inn and follow Chestnut Ridge Road for three miles to New Germany Road. Turn left and travel two miles to the New Germany State Park entrance on left.

You can find more information at: http://www.dnr.state.md.us/publiclands/western/newgermany.asp