Training
In order to maintain quality assurance in the data collected through
this program, all volunteers are trained by VLMP personnel upon entering
the program. This helps to maintain consistency in monitoring methods
from volunteer to volunteer across the state.
Here's how it works:
Training will take place in May and sometimes June. Your training coordinator
will contact you to schedule a training date. If you plan to have others
assist you with monitoring, they should also attend the training session.
Separate training sessions will not be offered.
To follow proper monitoring time protocol, more often than not, you
will be asked to schedule training sometime between 10am and 4pm, usually
on weekdays. Please keep this in mind when planning your schedule. Work
with your trainer to figure out a time and date that works best.
If you are a first time volunteer in any tier, you will receive an individual
training on your lake. After your first year of monitoring in Tier 1
or Tier 2 and you choose to remain in those tiers, training will be on
an as-needed basis or when staff resources are available. You may also
be asked to join a group training session instead
of an individual training. Tier 3 monitors are trained every year that
they choose to remain in Tier 3. Tier 3 volunteers are also subject to
a follow-up visit sometime during the monitoring season to ensure that
all procedures are being conducted properly. This is important because
of the potential regulatory use of Tier 3 data.
Tier 1 Training
If you are new to Tier 1, we will issue you a Secchi disk and all the
forms and additional training materials you will need to properly monitor
your lake. Staff will accompany you on your lake using your boat to
establish monitoring sites and demonstrate monitoring methods. Work
with your trainer before the training session to ensure that you both
have a map of your lake on hand to jot down monitoring sites and sight
lines for identifying your sites in future monitoring trips.
Tier 2 Training
If you are new to Tier 2, we will issue you all the required equipment
and forms you will need to properly monitor and sample your lake. Staff
will accompany you on your lake using your boat to demonstrate proper
monitoring and sampling methods. We will discuss what you learned in
Tier 1 training as well as how to collect, prepare and ship your water
quality samples. We will also show you how to fill out the necessary
laboratory forms.
Tier 3 Training
If you are new to Tier 3, we will issue you all the required equipment
and forms you will need to properly monitor and sample your lake. Staff
will accompany you on your lake using your boat to demonstrate proper
monitoring and sampling methods. We will discuss what you learned in
during your training for Tiers 1 and 2 as well as how to collect, prepare
and ship your water quality samples. We will also show you how to fill
out the necessary laboratory forms.
Group Trainings
Due to limited staff resources, volunteers returning to monitor in the
same tier as last year may be asked to participate in a group training
session in place of an individual training. This not only saves time,
but is also a great opportunity for volunteers to meet and network
with other volunteers in their area. Indicate on your registration
form if you are interested in hosting a group training session.
How long do trainings take?
Training is an essential component to the overall quality assurance
of the data collected. We cannot overstate the value of volunteer training.
In saying so, volunteers should expect a thorough training session so
it is important to allot the appropriate amount of time in your schedule
for training. All training times depend on the level of training required
(Tier 3 requires much more training that Tier 1), the size of the lake,
the size of the group attending training and how much discussion is generated
from the training visit.
Trainings may take less or more time than indicated below, so keep that
in mind when scheduling your training session.
| Tier 1 - 1 to 1.5 hours |
| Tier 2 - 1 to 2 hours |
| Tier 3 - 3 to 4 hours |
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