Winter Chloride Watchers Volunteer Training
Winter Chloride Watchers Volunteer Training
Wednesday, October 9, 2024
6 - 7:30pm
Ford Environmental Center, Big Marsh Park
11559 S. Stony Island Ave. Chicago, Il 60617
FREE
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.
All volunteers receive a complimentary one-year Friends’ membership! Friends’ membership includes:
- Free entry to the McCormick Bridgehouse & Chicago River Museum
- Discounts on Friends paddles and other events
- Invitations to special events
- Free subscription to our River Reporter newsletter
- Monthly Volunteer E-Newsletter and Bi-weekly Friends E-Newsletters. (You can unsubscribe from any communications easily, just hit the unsubscribe button at the bottom of the email.)
