Adopt-a-stream, Sept./Oct. 2013

GEORGIA
Adopt-A-Stream

Volume 20, Number 5 September/October 2013
Tara Muenz, Editor

Department of Natural Resources Environmental Protection Division

VISUAL SURVEY TRAINING
We offer free workshops for individuals and groups on how to conduct visual surveys, so give us a call at 404-6756240 or email us at AAS@gaepd.org!
Workshops can include training on any or all of the following
visual survey techniques:
Wentworth Pebble Count
Channel Cross-Section Stream Habitat Survey
Biological Survey Photo Points Site Sketch Stream Flow

M onitoring the physical aspects of a waterway can prove to be most important in telling the story of its health. Taking data on habitat availability within the stream channel, noting changes in the amount of sediment in the substrate or observing the integrity of the riparian buffer are just a few of the activities we do when conducting visual surveys. These data, collected over time, can be useful in interpreting any influence of land use changes and their effects on water quality.
Several tools are available through Georgia Adopt-AStream for monitoring water quality, including the surveys in our newly updated Visual Stream Survey manual. Last year, we introduced you to one of these tools, our 2-page `Stream Habitat Survey,' which is a quick and easy assessment you can do 2-4 times/year at your stream site. It evaluates 10 different parameters such as bank stability, channel alteration and vegetative protection. There are many other useful and fun surveys you can conduct at your site, depending on your goals. Below is a list of these surveys--see which one(s) might be relevant to use at your site:
Wentworth Pebble Count: This survey provides a method for characterizing the substrate particles in your streambed and the results can be used to evaluate the amount of sediment entering your stream.
Channel Cross-Section: Mesuring a channel cross-section allows you to observe and track changes in your stream channel shape, documenting sediment movement.
Biological Survey: Are there any wildlife or aquatic plants present in the stream? How well shaded is this site?
Photo Points: This is a standardized method for taking photographs of your site so they can be compared over time, capturing changes.
Site Sketch: This notes the physical features of the stream reach, changes to stream shape, vegetation, stream flow obstructions, outfalls, tributaries, landscape features, paths, bridges and roads.
Flow Measurements: The flow of a stream is directly related to the amount of water moving off the watershed into the stream channel and is important because of its impact on water quality, living organisms and habitats in the stream.
The new manual can be found on our website, with data entry and display capabilities coming very soon. We hope to see you at one of our workshops!

Help us Celebrate your Success!
Please consider submitting a nomination for the 2013 AAS Awards
Submissions due by Jan 27th!
We are excited to acknowledge the dedication and hard work that our volunteers, trainers and coordinators are doing to protect water quality. We do this annually through our Adopt-A-Stream Awards Program. Awards are given to volunteers across the state who are actively involved with our program. We hope that you will take a moment to reflect on your efforts in 2013 and consider nominating your group or an individual who deserves to be honored. Our award categories are as diverse as our volunteers.
Volunteer Award Categories
Volunteer of the Year
This goes to the individual who has gone beyond the call of duty to protect Georgia's waterways and to support the Adopt-A-Steam mission, giving their time and energy to improve water quality.
Extraordinary Volunteer Watershed Efforts
Protection of our streams starts with the protection of our watersheds. Help us recognize the group that has accomplished working at the watershed level to better understand and improve water quality.
Adopt-A-Stream in Action
Have you taken action to address a water quality problem at your sampling site? Do you understand when an issue needs to be addressed and even more, taken action to find a resolution to the issue?
Outstanding Outreach and Partnership
The first step in environmental protection is awareness. And awareness only happens through effective outreach efforts and partnerships. Nominate a group or person that has demonstrated skill in effectively implementing AAS outreach efforts and has created a strong network of community partnerships.
Adopt-A-Stream Multimedia Award
Reaching out to local communities about environmental issues can be done in a multitude of ways. This award goes to the group who has gone above and beyond by utilizing nontraditional formats (multimedia, art, website, music, videos, etc.) to raise awareness about water quality.
Excellence in Data Collection
Volunteer monitoring data can make a difference, but only if it's collected consistently and under a QA/QC plan. Nominate an individual or group who has consistently collected QA/QC data, recognizing the importance of data integrity in your monitoring program.
Nymph Award
Are you or someone you know new to the AAS program in the past year and have excelled in meeting its four goals? We are looking for outstanding new groups to recognize in 2013.
Apply Now! It's Easy & Fast!
Applications are accepted online at www.GeorgiaAdoptAStream.org, via email to aas@gaepd.org or mail to 4220 International Parkway, Suite 101 Atlanta, GA 30354.

Adopt-A-Stream Watershed & Trainer Award
Adopt-A-Stream Watershed Awards
Each year, Adopt-A-Stream honors local public utilities, government agencies, regional commissions, nonprofits and watershed organizations that have exceeded expectations in implementing the Adopt-A-Stream goals.
Award Categories
Phase 1 Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems Phase 2 Municipal Separate Storm Sewer Systems Other communities without a Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System permit Regional Commissions, university programs and other governmental agencies Riverkeepers, watershed organizations and other nongovernmental agencies
Adopt-A-Stream Trainer Awards
This award will honor an Adopt-A-Stream trainer who has gone above and beyond in promoting the Adopt-A-Stream program through training workshops and outreach events in their local community. There are two categories for this award: New Trainer of the Year and Trainer of the Year. Please consider nominating yourself or a trainer that you feel is deserving of this recognition.
Application:
If you would like to make a nomination for the Watershed and/or Trainer Award, please contact us at 404-675.6240 or aas@gaepd.org to obtain application materials.
Adopt-A-Stream Awards to be presented at Confluence
on March 22, 2014
Gwinnett Environmental & Heritage Center, Buford, Georgia
Planning for Confluence, Georgia Adopt-A-Stream's annual volunteer conference, is in full swing! The Confluence Committee has been busy organizing the agenda for Confluence 2014 and we feel that it is going to be another great conference, packed full of useful tools and great speakers. The full agenda and registration will be made public in January 2014. We will notify volunteers when registration is up, but as always, you'll want to sign up early to get the sessions you want! Also, registration this year will remain at $30 ($20 for students) and includes sessions, confluence swag, lunch and free give aways. If you would like to present an oral or poster presentation, know of any great sponsors or have a donation for our free give aways, please contact us at AAS@gaepd.org/404-675-6240

Volume 20, Number 5 September/October 2013
The Georgia Adopt-A-Stream Newsletter is published six times per year. For more information about the Georgia Adopt-A-Stream program or to contribute to the newsletter, call or write to:
Georgia Adopt-A-Stream Environmental Protection Division 4220 International Parkway, Suite 101 Atlanta, GA 30354 404.675.6240 www.GeorgiaAdoptAStream.org
GO BLUE in 2013 by signing up for our e-newsletter &
receive all the same news while saving our natural resources.
Sign up by emailing us at aas@gaepd.org.

Dragonfly

Riffle Beetle

Dobsonfly

Stonefly

Net Spinning Caddisfly

Anne Stahley, new AAS State Coordinator!
Welcome by EPD's Outreach Unit Manager, Harold Harbert
EPD is excited to announce the hire of Anne Stahley as a new Adopt -A-Stream State Coordinator, joining Tara Muenz and the Outreach Unit team! If Anne's name sounds familiar to you, it's because it should Anne worked for EPD from 2008 through 2010 as a Program Assistant, conducting workshops across the state and certifying hundreds of volunteers. Since leaving EPD Anne has worked on conservation issues in California, Alaska and Arizona, honing her environmental and outreach and education skills.
Here are a few words from Anne..."I am honored to return to the Outreach Unit
team as an Adopt-A-Stream State Coordinator and join forces with Tara Muenz! It's really wonderful to know that many of you whom I previously worked with are still involved with the program. I am looking forward to seeing you all soon, and meeting lots of new faces."
Help us welcome Anne back to the volunteer water quality monitoring community in Georgia!

Please visit our online calendar at www.GeorgiaAdoptAStream.org for upcoming monitoring workshops and Adopt-A-Stream events.