Baseline Stream Monitoring Training: Sheboygan

April 25th, 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM

Please note: After the training, WAV volunteers must connect with their local WAV Coordinator to adopt a stream site and receive a monitoring kit. If there are no WAV Coordinators in your area, reach out to WAV Program staff to explore other ways to get involved.

Training description:

This WAV baseline stream monitoring training is hosted by the Glacial Lakes Conservancy.

At this hands-on baseline stream monitoring training for new volunteers, you will learn how to measure five important elements of stream health using scientific tools and techniques:

• Water temperature – affects oxygen demand and can threaten creatures’ survival.
• Transparency – takes into account both color and suspended particles in the water.
• Dissolved oxygen – lack of it can cause aquatic animals to quickly leave the area or face death.
• Streamflow – the amount of flowing water in a stream impacts the habitat available for creatures living in and near the stream.
• Stream macroinvertebrates – insects, worms, crustaceans, clams, and other small, boneless creatures that are visible without the aid of a microscope are used to assess water quality based on their tolerance to conditions.

By the end of the workshop, you’ll know how to measure water quality and be ready to adopt your own stream monitoring site. No experience or equipment needed!

Prior to the field training, all volunteers are encouraged to complete the Online Introduction to WAV course. This course provides an overview of the WAV program and the science behind the baseline parameters in a learn-at-your-own-pace setting.

A few more details about this training from Glacial Lakes Conservancy:

Registration is now open for GLC’s fourth year of WAV monitoring! If you have questions or want to RSVP, please contact Ashley Muench at ashley@glaciallakes.org by Saturday, April 10, 2026. RSVP is required, and spots for this monitoring season are limited!

• Being a volunteer for the 2026 Water Quality Monitoring season is an excellent opportunity for the whole family (age 10+) to get involved with your local nature preserve. You can give back to the environment, do in-field chemistry, see some aquatic bugs, learn about local surface water quality, get in touch with your adventurous side, meet new people with a shared passion, and gain some health benefits just from being outside.
• We will kick off the GLC WAV season with a training day (snacks included), followed by group monitoring days at Willow Creek Preserve on one Saturday each month from May through October. By signing up for this training, you are also signing up to monitor with GLC for most of the season! However, if you’re interested in attending the training only, please let us know in your RSVP!
• The training encompasses walking attendees through stream etiquette, using monitoring tools properly, identifying aquatic macroinvertebrates, recording baseline data, and specifics to monitoring at Willow Creek Preserve – all skills that will last a lifetime!