Citizen Stream Monitoring Program Survey Summary
In March 2010, the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency's Citizen Stream Monitoring Program (CSMP) surveyed active volunteers. The goal was to gain information from volunteers regarding their experience in the program. The return rate for the survey was phenomenal, at 84%. This document provides a summary of select survey results. The CSMP will use these results to guide future program development and improvement.
Why volunteers continue to monitor
When asked why they continue to participate in the CSMP, 78% of respondents said the most important reason was that they are concerned about water quality. The second most important reason was that they are curious about their stream. The third most important reason is that monitoring is easy, quick, and enjoyable. Finally, gifts and recognition in the newsletter were cited as respondents' least important reasons for continuing to volunteer with the CSMP.
Satisfaction in program
Overall, the majority of volunteers who took the survey are very satisfied with the time required of them, the ease of equipment use, the use of data by MPCA, the quality of training materials, and the ability to get questions answered.
If CSMP respondents have a question, they are most likely to first consult program materials (manuals, DVDs, etc.). Forty four percent were very satisfied with awards they have received, and 34% were neither satisfied nor unsatisfied.
If you have a questions, who do you contact first for an answer?
Demographics
Most respondents to the survey (78%) monitor just one stream and 29% live on the stream they monitor. 44% of respondents are retired from their careers, and almost 76% are 51 years of age or better.
Volunteer age distribution
Work status
Communication
Even though 74% have adequate internet access for submitting data online, 71% of respondents' first choice for submitting data was to continue to mail in a paper datasheet. About the same number prefers to receive information in the mail, via newsletters and postcards, as the number that prefers email.
How would you most like to receive CSMP program news and information?
Website
89 out of 184 respondents (48%) have never visited the CSMP Web site. Those that have gone to the Web site go rather infrequently, once or a few times a year, and are most often looking for reports or instructions.
If you go to the site, what are you looking for?
Reports
The majority of survey takers find newsletters and reports useful. Fewer respondents view the Annual Statewide Report, but those that do are particularly interested in the maps provided in the document.
Data use
Many respondents indicated that they understand how their data are used by MPCA and what actions are taken with the data. Only 0.5% of volunteers indicated that they "have no idea" how their data is used. Less than a quarter knew their data were used by other groups such as counties or watersheds districts.
How well do you understand how the MPCA uses the data you collect?
Switch to Secchi tube
An overwhelming amount of respondents, 143 out of 170, felt sure that switching from a transparency tube to a Secchi tube would not be a problem. Thirty six were unsure or didn't have an opinion, and only 5 were somewhat or very concerned about the change.
Additional opportunities
Survey respondents interested in pursuing additional opportunities were most interested in doing additional monitoring for the MPCA.
Would you be interested in doing any of the following additional activities?
96% were interested in networking opportunities such as annual meetings, blogs, or MPCA public events. If volunteers were to attend a CSMP meeting, the most popular topics selected, with about the same amount of interest, were (1) program updates and information specific to their area and (2) information on the "big picture" of water quality in the state.
Which, if any, of the following networking opportunities would you
be interested in as a way to connect with other volunteers?
