Virtual Winter Chloride Watcher Volunteer Training

Tags: Volunteers, Attend, Volunteer workday, CREW opportunities, and River education

Winter Chloride Watcher 

Volunteer Training

Thursday, October 17, 2024

6-7:30 p.m.

FREE Virtual Training

Register HERE in advance for this webinar

 

Are you passionate about the health of the Chicago-Calumet River system? Friends is teaming up with the Conservation Foundation’s Winter Chloride Watchers Program to improve and protect the water in our local waterways through volunteer community science. You can help inform future water protection efforts by collecting water samples and gathering important data.

Why Chlorides Matter

Our local rivers and streams are getting saltier and saltier. The main culprit? Road salt—the kind used to melt snow and ice on roads, sidewalks, and parking lots. This salt impacts our natural ecosystems and the built environment. Chlorides, a main component of road salt, are proving to be a persistent issue.

Understanding how chlorides impact our Chicago-Calumet River system starts with measuring their presence in the water—and that’s where you come in! As a volunteer Winter Chloride Watcher, you’ll learn the basics of chloride monitoring and take part in water testing at a local river or stream. With this data, we will gain a clearer picture of how chlorides affect aquatic life and how Salt Smart winter practices can reduce the amount of chlorides that reach waterways.