Would you like to be a streamwatcher?

Brodhead Watershed Association will soon welcome new “water warriors” into its popular Streamwatch program.

Streamwatch volunteer training sessions will be held in March in two convenient locations. You need attend only one session: either 7 p.m. March 26, at Northampton Community College’s Tannersville campus, Room 104 in Kapp Hall; or at 10 a.m. March 28, at Brodhead Creek Heritage Center, 1539 Cherry Lane Road, East Stroudsburg.

For 29 years, BWA Streamwatch volunteers have been checking local streams on a monthly basis.

Now, with more than 70 volunteers in seven sub-watershed regions of Monroe County, new volunteers are always welcome to join the efforts to ensure water quality. This program is also a good refresher course for veteran Streamwatchers.

Streamwatch volunteers “fulfill an important role in safeguarding the quality of Pocono waters as well as helping the public become more aware of the valuable natural resources we share,” said Bob Heil, BWA executive director. “These citizen scientists not only test for indicators of pollution, they also provide observations on the health of our streams.”

If problems are discovered, BWA alerts regulatory agencies, such as the Department of Environmental Protection.

At the training, volunteers will meet other Streamwatchers from the local watershed, learn what the program is all about, and get hands-on training with the equipment. At that time, you can decide if Streamwatch is right for you.

To register for either training session or if you have questions, contact the BWA office at 570-839-1120 or email info@brodheadwatershed.org. Walk-ins are welcome, but registration is preferred.

For more about the Streamwatch program, see brodheadwatershed.org/stream-watch.

Brodhead Watershed Association is a nonprofit environmental organization formed in 1989.

BWA is dedicated to protecting and preserving water resources and the environment of the Brodhead watershed, and the water quality of the Brodhead, Cherry, Marshalls, McMichael, Paradise and Pocono creeks and their tributaries.

BWA assists municipalities, residents, businesses and groups with protecting natural resources through education, workshops, seminars, public programs and stream monitoring.