Training
sessions
The first step to
becoming a long-term volunteer with the VA Save Our Streams
Program is the training session. Please see our
recent changes to VA SOS services to
find out about setting up a training session for your
organization!
What
happens at a training session?
The Participants are
introduced to topics such as stream ecosystems, stream impairment,
and aquatic macroinvertebrates. Use of an identification key
is covered and specimen samples and pictures are provided for
reference. Following the on-shore introduction, participants
move into the stream to practice collecting and identifying
live specimens. Training sessions last about 3-4 hours each.
Come prepared; wear clothing and footwear that can get wet!
Practice
in the field
After you attend a training session,
you should practice before taking your certification test. If
you need help finding a monitoring partner or locating a site,
contact your regional coordinator (the person who hosted the
training session) or email Stacey
Brown.
Get
certified!
A certification session takes approximately
2 hours and includes the following:
• Stream component: You will collect and process
a sample while the trainer watches with a checklist to ensure
that you know the proper protocols. You will also calculate
a score indicating stream condition to show that you can do
so.
• Macroinvertebrate ID test:
A score of 87.5% must be obtained on the macroinvertebrate identification
quiz in order for you to become certified.
Both
the stream and ID tests are open book—you may use whatever
references you choose to help with these tests. Once you have
successfully completed both components of the quiz, you will
receive a certificate and wallet card acknowledging your achievement
and involvement in the program. Any data you collect can now
be submitted for use by state agencies and others.
If
you plan to become a certified monitor, please indicate this
at your initial training session so we can be sure to get you
the practice and certification events you need.
Our
data is most useful to data users when it is collected by Certified
VA SOS monitors. Please take the extra step and become a Certified
Monitor!
