URI Watershed Watch honors volunteer water quality monitors KINGSTON, R.I. — April 2, 2001 — The University of Rhode Island’s Watershed Watch program honored long-time volunteers and program sponsors at a recent open house at the program’s new offices in the Coastal Institute building on URI’s Kingston campus. Initiated in 1988, Watershed Watch has more than 30 sponsoring organizations and 250 volunteers monitoring more than 120 lakes, ponds, rivers and streams in Rhode Island as part of the URI Cooperative Extension water quality programs. Volunteers conduct a variety of water quality tests on a weekly basis between May and October. The data they collect is then used by the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management and other agencies to determine pollutant loadings and how best to clean up polluted waters. “Our volunteers are truly the backbone of the program,” said Watershed Watch Program Director Linda Green. “They spend a great deal of their personal time collecting data because they are so dedicated to protecting and improving water quality in their communities. This program has thrived because they care so much.” Those honored by Watershed Watch were: – The Wood Pawcatuck Watershed Association and the North Stonington Citizens Land Alliance (Conn.), honored with the Founders Award as the first two Watershed Watch sponsors and for their long-time commitment to protecting and enhancing water quality; – Julie Goulet of Warwick, a science teacher at Tolman High School in Pawtucket, who has been teaching her students about water quality and how to monitor the water in Slater Pond each year since 1994; and – Ray Cloutier, president of the Pascoag Reservoir Association in Burrillville, who has monitored the reservoir since 1994 and been a vocal advocate for protecting the reservoir. – The original Watershed Watch volunteers, who have participated throughout the program’s first 13 years, were also honored: Linda Green of West Kingston, Bart Hurley of Charlestown, Lorraine Joubert of West Kingston, Jim Latimer of Hope Valley, and Mitch Salomon of Bradford. Volunteers recognized for ten years of continuous monitoring are Jeff Hakanson, Gerry and Lisa Narkiewicz, Earl and Elizabeth Smith, and Steven Smith, all of Coventry; Joe Geary of North Kingstown, and Lou Steinbrecher of North Stonington, Conn. Those recognized for five years of continuous monitoring are Stan Bailey of Charlestown; Peter Dupuis of Smithfield; Jenny Frisella of Wakefield; Beatrice Law of Warwick; Gisela Meyn of Warwick; Ev and Kris Stuart of North Kingstown; and Newell and Robin Warde of Smithfield. For additional information or to become a Watershed Watch volunteer, call Linda Green at 874-2905 or Elizabeth Herron at 874-4552 or via email at uriww@etal.uri.edu. The program’s website can be viewed at www.edc.uri.edu/uriww. For Information: Linda Green 874-2905, Todd McLeish 874-7892