Environmental Stewardship in the Gulf of Maine:
A Coordinator’s Manual for Volunteer Monitoring

Published by University of Maine Cooperative Extension/Maine Coastal Program of the State Planning Office, this 90 page manual is designed to be used by environmental monitoring groups to develop and evaluate their own organizational structure. While this is not a methods manual, it does provide environmental monitoring guidance and support with respect to the human element of working with groups. While coastal water quality monitoring has been used as the primary example in this document, the organizational and planning information is relevant to any community-based environmental monitoring initiative or group conservation work. This manual contains a self-evaluation that will help you assess the status of your program. Topics included in the manual are: program planning, study design, fundraising, outreach/education, sustaining volunteers and more. For communities contemplating starting a new program, most if not all sections will be relevant. For the seasoned monitoring group this manual can help you revisit your program’s goals and objectives; reinvigorate your monitors; or refocus your efforts. The manual is available for $20.00 from Cooperative Extension. To purchase this manual contact University of Maine Cooperative Extension Knox and Lincoln Counties at 1-800-244-2104 or esp@umext.maine.edu.