Volunteer
Opportunities
Volunteers Can Make the Biggest Difference in the Watershed

Watershed management is crucial for strong unified projects that make a difference in the water quality of a
region as big as the Zumbro River Watershed.  However, when it comes to getting things done, it is really the
volunteers that make it happen!  We have a fantastic volunteer family by whose efforts the ZWP exists today.  
As our aspirations for watershed programs and projects grows, our workload grows bigger too.  There are
many ways that ZWP members, and non-member citizens can help in the efforts.

Existing Opportunities:

Citizen Stream Monitoring Program: this program is organized by the MN Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) and
locally organized within the Zumbro River Watershed.  It offers volunteers the opportunity to monitor turbidity,
or the level of clarity of a stream, lake or wetland.  Volunteers can chose a location that works best for them,
and are supplied with a monitoring kit and instructions to help get started.  If you would like to become a
Citizen Stream, Lake or Wetland Monitor, contact the ZWP at 507-280-2850.  For more information on the
program, visit: http://www.pca.state.mn.us/water/csmp.html   


















ZWP Outreach Events: we host educational and outreach events, and also attend many other organizations
public events.  We often have a need for volunteers to attend these events to help spread the message of the
ZWP to other watershed residents.




















Other Outreach: our message only gets to other people when we spread the news.  We have brochures and
brochure holders that need distribution throughout the watershed.  Do you know of a good place for our
brochures?  We also need assistance with membership drives and newsletter mailings for volunteers who like
to sort, classify and distribute publications.  If you have an interest in helping with these and other similar
jobs, call 507-280-2850 and we will find the right volunteer fit for you.


Future Opportunities:

Expanded monitoring: as our projects continue, we will have a continued need to monitor more water quality
and wildlife components throughout the watershed.  Be looking for more information as the monitoring
program grows.

Adopt-A-River: we are hoping to coordinate a group(s) for this river clean-up effort sponsored by the MN DNR.
 Would you be interested in getting your feet wet to clean the shores of our rivers and streams?  For more
information on this program, visit: http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/adoptriver/index.html













Children's Education: we would like to host school-age water activities and other educational events in the
future.  Do you have an interest or skill that would be valuable to this effort?  If you like to work with children
of all ages, let us know, there are many ways to help.
ZWP volunteers attend the Lake Shady Picnic and Canoe Event
ZWP volunteers attend the Lake Shady
Picnic and Canoe Event, one of many
outreach opportunities in the community.
Adopt-A-River volunteers working
hard on a project.  (photo from the
DNR's Apopt-A-River website)
CSMP volunteers take stream clarity
readings in many ways.  Some chose
bridge sites, others on culvert tops.  
(photos from the MPCA's CSMP webpage)