Community-Based Monitoring

Community based water monitoring (CBWM) involves volunteers working in partnership with professional researchers, often with a focus on environmental monitoring. ​Volunteer scientists collect samples & data that can be used to monitor environmental change and patterns on a local or large-scale level. 

We have two major projects using CBWM: Recreational Water Quality Monitoring in Saskatchewan (70 volunteers across the province as of 2022), and Water Quality Monitoring for Agricultural Ponds (starting in summer 2023). We are partnering with Water Rangers to provide the tools and training for volunteers and landowners to sample for water quality. This information can improve management decisions about the lakes and ponds that are sampled.