Maine Shore Stewards volunteer opportunities

Maine citizens are participating in the coastal monitoring programs described below. Follow the links to learn more about each program and who to contact about volunteer programs in your area.

Clean Water/Partners in Monitoring: Community-based groups monitor the environmental health of their coastal waters by collecting water samples and measuring temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, salinity, and fecal coliform using field test kits and equipment in their community laboratory. The data may be used by local and state decision-makers to initiate clean-up of pollution sources.

Coastal Swim Beach Monitoring: This program, initiated in 2002, consists of community-based groups that monitor coastal swim beaches for bacteria to prevent recreational water illnesses. The data are being used by municipalities, state agencies and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Maine Phytoplankton Monitoring: Community-based groups monitoring toxic phytoplankton species in their coastal waters. Blooms of toxic phytoplankton such as Alexandrium spp, Dinophysis spp, Prorocentrum lima, and Pseudo-nitzschia spp, can lead to closures of shellfish flats. Volunteers collect samples weekly in spring, summer, and fall, and use field microscopes to identify the phytoplankton species present. The data are reported to the Maine Department of Marine Resources shellfish sanitation program, which monitors the Maine coast for shellfish carrying toxins at potentially harmful levels.

Maine Department of Marine Resources (DMR) Shellfish Sanitation Water Quality Monitoring: Volunteers collect water samples in shellfish growing areas for analysis of fecal coliform at state laboratories. The data is used by the DMR to decide whether shellfish areas have water quality acceptable for harvesting. Contact Alison Sirois, 207-633-9401, for additional information or to volunteer.

Beach Profiling: Trained volunteers are currently making topographic profiles of 10 important barrier systems in southern Maine. A two-year study of beaches in southern Maine is underway to evaluate the "State-of-Maine's Beaches." Changes in beach profiles are being monitored monthly by ten teams of volunteers who report results to MGS and University of Maine marine geologists. The elevation of beaches is measured using the Emery method of beach profiling.

Stream Team Program: Protecting, monitoring, and restoring the many rivers and streams in Maine is too big a job for government agencies and conservation organizations alone. A true "team" effort is needed that combines the resources, talents, and concerns of all who care about the waters of this state. The Maine Stream Team Program was established to facilitate these working partnerships.