New Volunteer Training

To become a new volunteer water quality monitor (or a citizen scientist), you must participate in spring training.  Through this training, you will learn all you need to become a successful volunteer water monitor!

  • All training and equipment are supplied by URI Watershed Watch. 
  • Volunteers supply time, enthusiasm, and a boat/kayak/canoe to get to the deepest part of their waterbody and collect data with the monitoring methods they have been trained on.
  • Training is FREE to all participants.
  • In 2024, there will be in-person training – details of below.
  • Please complete a new volunteer profile form at: https://web.uri.edu/watershedwatch/getting-involved/become-a-volunteer/

2024 New Volunteer Classroom Training

Please complete the URIWW Volunteer Profile form at the bottom of the Become a Volunteer page (click here). We’ll add you to our email list and you’ll get updates about the start of the 2024 season.

  • Participation in at least review of the classroom session materials is highly recommended to help you learn about the program, water quality and what and why we monitor (see here for the classroom videos if you can’t attend an in-person class).
  • Classroom sessions will be offered at the Weaver Auditorium, in the Coastal Institute in Kingston  (1 Greenhouse Rd., Kingston, RI)
    • Wednesday, March 27, 2024 (6 pm – 9 pm)
    • Saturday, March 30, 2024 (9 am – noon)

To register for a classroom session, please complete this form!

2024 New Volunteer Field Training

  • Field training is REQUIRED for all new volunteers to learn the exact monitoring procedures. Videos are available (click here) – but we will be offering, and much prefer that you attend, in-person training on several occasions at Thirty Acre Pond adjacent to the URI Kingston campus on several dates. You need to only attend one session:
    • Saturday, April 13, 2024 (morning and afternoon sessions)
    • Saturday, April 27, 2024 (morning and afternoon sessions)

To register for a session, please complete this form!

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Contact

Please call Elizabeth (401-874-4552) with any questions or concerns.

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Important

New volunteers should participate in classroom training, and are REQUIRED to participate in field training, preferably in person. Virtual training options may be used, but prior approval is needed.