Nature Forward’s Community Science
Water Quality Monitoring Program (WQM)
- Nature Forward volunteers monitor 25+ stream sites collecting important data on stream health.
- We collect data at each site 3 to 4 times annually, focusing on aquatic macroinvertebrates.
- This community science program has been active since the early 1990s.
- Nature Forward provides water quality findings to government agencies, watershed and community groups, the Chesapeake Monitoring Cooperative, and others.
How our WQM program works:
- Volunteer teams visit stream sites in April, July, October, and optionally during winter.
- We find, identify, and count benthic macroinvertebrates (‘macros’ or ‘creek critters’) – the small organisms living in the streams.
- Macroinvertebrates have different levels of sensitivity to pollution and other stressors. The types of macros you find, or don’t find, tell you a story about the health of a stream.
- Each team has a designated leader who is certified in identifying macros to the taxonomic level of family. Family-level identification provides a clear picture of aquatic diversity.
- We identify macroinvertebrates in the field and then release them back into the stream.
Watch this demonstration and sign up to join us!
In this video, volunteers show you the water quality monitoring process as they assess stream health at Dark Branch in Little Bennett Regional Park, Montgomery County, Maryland.
APPLY TODAY to volunteer as part of a team assessing the health of local streams. You’ll discover the fascinating organisms that make their homes in these aquatic habitats.
You’ll need a basic understanding of stream ecology and how we identify benthic macroinvertebrates. No prior experience? No problem!
We offer two introductory online training classes: Healthy Stream Biology and How to Read Your Stream. Each recorded class is approximately 1 hour. See complete class descriptions below. We’ll provide more details once you submit a volunteer application.
Volunteers should be prepared to commit to several seasons of monitoring.
Interactive map of our monitoring sites and stream data
Nature Forward’s WQM map displays the streams where volunteers collect data. You’ll also see our stream health findings.
Highlighted data includes recent findings as well as long-term trends.
Stream health is assessed as EXCELLENT, GOOD, FAIR, or POOR based on the benthic macroinvertebrates we identify and count during each monitoring session.
Using our findings, we generate an Index of Biotic Integrity (or IBI) score for each site. The map legend displays the range of scores, with map pin colors corresponding to our most recent stream health assessments for each stream site.
Resources for Volunteer Monitors
Display or Download data forms, monitoring instructions, and protocols
DATA COLLECTION:
GENERAL MONITORING FORM & PROTOCOL
- Data Collection Cover Sheet (complete for every visit)
- Nature Forward Data Collection Protocol
BENTHIC MACROINVERTEBRATE DATA COLLECTION FORM
- Benthos Taxonomic Listing Data Form
(complete for every visit)
HABITAT ASSESSMENT DATA COLLECTION FORMS
& INSTRUCTIONS
- MCDEP Riffle-Run Habitat Assessment Form (complete for every visit)
- Spring Habitat Data Sheet v010622 (complete in April)
- Instructions for the Spring Habitat Data Sheet
- Summer Habitat Data Sheet (complete in July)
- Instructions for the Summer Habitat Data Sheet
- Instructions for Conducting Stream Habitat Rapid Bioassessments
Additional Monitoring Information and Scientific Resources
- Nature Forward Conservation Blog
- Nature Forward’s 2024 State of the Streams Report
- Water Quality Monitoring (WQM) Newsletter
- Creek Critters® Smartphone App
- WQM Quality Assurance – Quality Control Plan
- Calculating the Index of Biological Integrity (“IBI”) for Maryland Streams. The family-level calculations for a Benthic Index of Biological Integrity (“BIBI”) are described on pp 27-34.
- Chesapeake Monitoring Cooperative’s Chesapeake Data Explorer includes water quality and benthic macroinvertebrate data from programs throughout the Chesapeake Bay Watershed, including Nature Forward’s WQM program.
- Report on Stream Health at Select Tributaries of Rock Creek in Washington, DC 2010 – 2013
- Report on Stream Health in Montgomery County, Maryland 2010 – 2015
Take Our Online Stream Science Classes
Recorded, Self-Paced Classes You Can Take Anytime!
Learn about the fascinating world of stream monitoring!
We offer two introductory stream science classes and seven advanced benthic macroinvertebrate identification classes.
All classes are recorded, self-paced classes taught by former program coordinator Cathy Wiss.
INTRODUCTORY STREAM SCIENCE CLASSES
These introductory classes are recommended for all Nature Forward volunteer water quality monitors and anyone interested in joining the program. Each class runs approximately one hour.
PART II: HOW TO READ YOUR STREAM
Learn about the influence of land use on streams, stream character and dynamics, bank erosion, bar formation, substrate composition, different velocity-depth regimes, and the importance of riffles and riparian vegetation.
ADVANCED BENTHIC MACROINVERTEBRATE IDENTIFICATION CLASSES
Our advanced macroinvertebrate ID classes are perfect for anyone interested in deepening their knowledge about biological stream monitoring.
Each class runs 45 to 70 minutes and includes extensive photos and videos collected by our WQM volunteers and Nature Forward staff, plus thoughtfully curated videos from other sources.
ID classes include: Caddisflies; Beetles; True Flies; Damselflies & Dragonflies; Mayflies; Stoneflies; and Megaloptera, Hemiptera & Lepidoptera.
REGISTRATION & FEES
Enrollment for each class is only $25 and just $15 for Nature Forward members. You can register for all 9 classes in the series for only $170 (a 15% discount) or only $120 for Nature Forward members. Learners who register for all 9 classes will receive access to a bonus review session.
Classes are FREE for volunteer water quality monitors who have monitored at least twice over the past two years.
Interested? Have questions?
Please email [email protected] for more information.