Meet some of our citizen lake and stream volunteers who help us gather valuable information about the health of our water resources. At the MPCA, we use this data to make decisions on watershed protection and restoration. For some lakes and streams, data collected by volunteers are the only data available, making this work indispensable.
“Reflections” volunteer recognition yearbook (wq-s1-54)
Citizen science in action: Joan Redig on Paradise Valley Creek
Joan Redig's interest in conservation is reflected on her rural Houston County property. Now she monitors Paradise Valley Stream as a volunteer for MPCA's citizen monitoring program.
Citizen science in action: Sheri Berg and family
Volunteer water monitoring runs deep for the Berg family in Becker County; they've been involved for more than three decades.
Citizen science in action
Beth LaVigne, a long-time volunteer stream monitor in Duluth, provides important data about Tischer Creek. She also incorporates her monitoring work into her classroom work as a professor of education.
Citizen scientists gather at the "Secchi Social"
A gathering in Morris celebrated the good work of volunteers in the MPCA's citizen water monitoring programs.
Pioneer Public Television features segment on water monitoring
Check out this segment on the MPCA’s citizen water monitoring programs and the importance of water quality in Minnesota's lakes and miles of streams.
Citizen stream monitor reflects on the Zumbro River
As John Weiss puts his Secchi tube away for the season, he reflects on the trends he's seeing in water clarity as a citizen stream monitor on the Zumbro River.
Rachel Pichelmann's volunteer water monitoring sparked career in water resources
Rachel's 4-H project in high school led to a career in civil engineering with an environmental focus.
His ethic can inspire others
Concern about water quality led Ron Sprong to do water monitoring and help the Grindstone Lake Association obtain grants to fund research and develop a lake management plan.
Steve Erickson volunteers for Gribben Creek
Steve has lived near Lanesboro for 17 years and has monitored Gribben Creek for 14 years. "I volunteer because I have a great love for all things outdoors.”
20 years, 400 volunteers, and priceless information about water quality
It started in 1998 with 17 volunteers monitoring the health of 22 stream sites in southeast Minnesota. Today there are more than 400 volunteers and 500 stream sites across Minnesota.
Riparian revival
Mary Jenc and David Knight are combating invasive species as citizen stream monitors on Rice Creek in Ramsey County.
Citizen lake monitor finds fishy surprise
Lisa Joan Miller, a 10-year Citizen Lake Monitor, is on a mission to rescue young bullheads that get trapped in beer and pop cans.
Citizen volunteers keep an eye on Hubbard County water quality
Sharon Natzel, president of Hubbard County Coalition of Lake Associations (COLA), and Al Kiecker, a retiree and avid angler, are part of an ongoing lake-monitoring program on Long Lake.
Adventures in citizen monitoring on Lake Superior
For years, Katya and Mark Gordon have spent part of their summer on Lake Superior monitoring water quality. They see that rising temperatures are affecting water clarity.
It’s a good year to become a water monitor
David Tacke has been a volunteer water monitor for 3 years in Fillmore County. He's passionate about offering time and talent for the greater good.
Cook County citizen volunteers share passion for their waters
The job of monitoring the quality of Minnesota's lakes and rivers could not be done without the help of dedicated citizen volunteers.
Citizen water monitor goes extra mile for Straight River
Richard Fetterly, a retired engineer living in Rice County, reflects on his 15 years spent as a citizen stream monitor for the Straight River.
Lowell Deede and the murky water
Lowell Deede developed a multi-site monitoring plan to track watershed water clarity and enrolled in the stream monitoring program.
Volunteers needed
Citizen water monitors like Mike Brinda help MPCA measure water clarity of lakes and streams in Minnesota. Are you up for the challenge?
Father and son team track water quality
Water volunteers like Paul and Greg Thompson play an important role in protecting our lakes and streams.