News Updates

Data!

It has been a busy year trying to revamp the VA SOS data entry portal.  I apologize if it has been a source of frustration for you!  I would love to see all of 2007 in the database by the end of February.  I have several initiatives/reports that I have on my plate to complete (including the Game and Inland fisheries report for our collection permit, the VA SOS annual data report, and hopefully a web GIS Mapping program).

If you are having any trouble entering the data into the database - please let me know!  We can fix the problem OR you can send the datasheet to me to enter directly.If you keep your data in your own spreadsheet or database, please export the data in any format for me!

“Pristine Streams” Monitoring

VA SOS has always located monitoring sites based upon local needs, wishes, and access.  Starting this spring, VA SOS will be adding some new sites into our monitoring program that are “pristine” streams and have been monitored in the past by some organization (usually VA DEQ or a university) but are not currently being monitored.  Mark your calendars for the following dates to see some of Virginia’s finest streams: 

·   May 17, 2008 – Staton’s Creek, Amherst, Virginia

·   June 10, 2008 – Herring Run, Aylett, Virginia (King William County)

·   August 9, 2008 - TBA

·   September 20, 2008 - TBA

If you are interested in monitoring one of these streams and don’t mind traveling, please contact Stacey Brown at 804-615-5036 or e-mail. 

VA SOS Annual Workplan

I have posted an ambitious 2008 Workplan for Virginia Save Our Streams on the internet at the following address.  If you have any questions, comments, suggestions about the workplan, please let me know.

Funding Reductions

As most of you know the DEQ Citizen Monitoring Grant program was cut in the Governor's Budget Reduction Plan.  VA SOS has come to rely on this program for annual support.  We hope to be able to fill this funding void with new sources of funding.  Please let Stacey know if you are familiar with a family foundation or other grant program that might be a good fit for the VA SOS program.  Also, a general letter of support for VA SOS and our water quality monitoring activities in Virginia from your organization would be extremely helpful as we pursue other sources of funding. Please let me know if you can provide such a support letter.  Thanks so much!

Tools You Can Use

Check out the VA SOS website: www.vasos.org/outreachtools.htm for some community outreach tools.  Please note, that several are in draft form.  If you use the draft form and have suggestions for changes and improvements, please let Stacey know.  Also, if you have any outreach tools you would like to include in this list, please send Stacey the information.  Also, as several of these are large files, let Stacey know if you would like these tools on CD-ROM and she will send them to you.

Upcoming Training Events

February 9 – Franklin County -- Training Rocky Bottom Method

February 16 – Emporia  -- Eastern “Muddy Bottom” Method Training

February 23 – Winchester – Virginia CWQ Winter Meeting – Habitat Assessment

March 1 - Emporia  -- Eastern “Muddy Bottom” Method Training

March 8 – Alexandria -- Virginia Division of the Izaak Walton League Quarterly Meeting

March 15 – Roanoke – Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay and VA SOS Joint training – methods include benthic, chemical/physical, and e.coli

March 29 – Chesterfield – Habitat Assessment for Low Gradient Streams

Please contact Stacey Brown at 804-615-5036 or stacey@vasos.org for more information about any of these upcoming events.

Stay Tuned…

Our Benthic Creature of the Month and Monitor Profile will return in the Spring edition.

The Last Word…

Ever wish you could strut your stuff with apparel and bumper stickers with the Virginia Save Our Streams logo on it?  Now you can!  Check out our “store” at www.cafepress.com/vasos

If you don’t see the logo combination you are looking for, let me know and we can customize it for you!