Water Quality Monitoring Depends on Volunteers
Across the United States, more than 1,000 volunteer water quality monitoring programs rely on dedicated community members to collect valuable data that contributes to environmental conservation. These volunteers do more than just collect data—they provide local knowledge, build community awareness, and foster a deep connection between people and the environments they protect. Understanding what motivates individualsto volunteer, how they experience these programs, and how participation benefits both volunteers and their communities is crucial to the ongoing success of citizen science.
Aim of This Study
This study aims to understand the motivations and experiences of volunteers who participate in water quality monitoring programs, and explores how to integrate new technologies into the volunteer experience. Results from the study will help monitoring programs adapt to evolving volunteer needs and preferences. Results will also provide insights regarding the effects of technological change on the satisfaction and long-term involvement of volunteers in citizen science programs. Ultimately, this research will provide insights to ensure water quality monitoring programs continue to effectively support environmental conservation while meeting the needs of both volunteers and the ecosystems they help protect.
The research will be conducted from 2024 through 2027 and will encompass multiple stages:
- Stage 1: 2024–2025. The first stage involved surveying participants in the BBC Baywatchers water quality monitoring program as well as volunteers from several other similar watershed programs. This initial phase gathered data on volunteer motivations, experiences, and perceived benefits of participation.
- Stage 2: 2025–2026. Building on Stage 1, this phase expanded data collection to include a broader participant pool drawn from both existing water monitoring volunteers and the general public. Participants engaged in water quality monitoring workshops using multiple measurement methods and recording formats, followed by surveys and in-depth interviews. Data collection for this stage is now complete, with analysis currently underway.
Stay tuned for more as the study progresses! Findings will offer insights into what motivates volunteers to participate, how they experience monitoring tools and technologies, and what supports long-term engagement in citizen science programs.
