WPUNJ VMT!

My first Volunteer Monitoring Training (VMT) was held at the William Paterson University of New Jersey (WPUNJ) Alumni House Field Station in North Haledon, NJ (Passaic County). After being in contact with Soil & Water Analysis professor Dr. Jen Callalan, we set up this Visual VMT for her students (a group of 11). I received assistance from fellow ambassador Jon Pereira and Chris Marinello (WMA 5 and fellow Rowan alum!) with the day-of activities. 

We began by getting everyone situated with sign-in and volunteer release sheets. I conducted several presentations on the NJWAP and our duties, macros, and Visual Monitoring Training. We then drove to our access site on the Molly Ann Brook to conduct the VMT.

Access point behind North Haledon Municipal Building (water.weather.gov)

Chris, Jon, and I took small groups along with Dr. Callalan and the lab assistant and trained them in the procedures and techniques of visual stream monitoring. They were really excited when we got to use a rubber duck to measure fluvial velocity! Jon collected various macros from the stream before we returned to the field station. There, we separated and identified the macros, finding the Biotic Index (BI) of the Molly Ann Brook. The students were giddy working with bugs-- it really does bring the kid out in you! 

We ended the VMT with evaluations and questions before giving the students and professors our contact information. My first VMT was a success, and I cannot wait to give biological trainings in the spring!