Message from Board Chair

Thanks to everyone for your participation in 2024!
Here's looking forward to a stronger 2025 sampling season!

Kentucky Watershed Watch is excited to continue rolling out our program updates and data portal. If you haven't done so already, please visit kywater.org to get up to speed through online and in-person training so you will be able to submit your 2025 sampling results.

All samplers will need to complete online Modules 1 - 5. The recently added 5th module covers accessing and using the NEW data portal.

Here is a checklist of the basic needs for you to participate as a stream sampler this year.

A Few of KWW's 2024 Achievements!

🏆 25 local Support Hubs established across Kentucky

🏆 132 Samplers completed both NEW online and in-person training, making them fully certified volunteers

🏆 211 Samplers completed in-person training

🏆 New website and organizational guidance created

🏆 New online portal created for volunteer data entry

🏆 $150,000 3-year Legacy Grant completed

New Data Portal Arrives!

The Kentucky Geological Survey has been working diligently to complete the data portal in time for use during the 2025 sampling season. A tutorial is now available to guide you through the process of logging into and using the data portal to prepare for entering your sampling results.

Complete online Module 5
to learn how to use the
Data Portal.

IMPORTANT: Invitations to log in to the data portal will be sent to fully trained samplers. These individuals, who have completed both online modules 1-5 AND in-person training, will receive an email invitation to set up a portal account. You can check your training status here.

Kentucky Division of Water and Watershed Watch in Kentucky Partnership Continues
Article Provided by Michaela Lambert, Nonpoint Source and Basin Team, Watershed Management Branch, Kentucky Division of Water

Since its inception in 1997, the Kentucky Division of Water (DOW) has been a founding partner and key supporter of Kentucky Watershed Watch. Although much has changed since its beginnings, DOW remains a committed partner to Watershed Watch volunteers. They engage with volunteers through the review of an annual list of KWW Sites of Concern, focused projects and watershed planning, and receiving and acting on reported water quality complaints.
Read more here.

Watershed Watch Committee

Activity Update

The Outreach Committee develops and conducts communications to help build awareness about KWW that encourages additional participation, partnerships, and monetary support. This includes website updates, social media posts, quarterly e-newsletters, and guidance and resources for event tabling.

The Sampler Support Committee provides guidance and assistance with sampler and trainer training logistics, the coordination of sampling activities, and sampler communications.

The Fundraising Committee reviews funding solicitations and develops related funding appeals or grant applications.

The Science Advisory Committee reviews training and sampling procedures for scientific validity and clarity. It also assists with the development of related training materials, database needs, and data interpretation tools.

The Organizational Operations Committee assists with Support Hub recruitment and development, recruitment of organizational leadership, and updates to KWW’s Standard Operating Procedure.

New committee members are welcome!

Please send an email to contact@kywater.org if you are interested in joining one of these important working committees. Without paid staff, KWW relies on the contributions of these critical volunteer committees.

Kentucky River Watershed Watch Conference
Saturday, March 15 from 8:30 am to 1 pm
Kentucky State University, 1525 Mills Lane, Frankfort, KY
Lunch will be served at noon.
Register here by March 10 if you are interested in attending.

Pond and Lake Day
Saturday, March 22 from 9 am to 1 pm
Oldham County Conservation District
Focus on backyard pond management, including pond uses, aquatic life, management tips, and more.
Contact ocwatershedcoordinator@gmail.com to register.

Bluegrass Watershed Summit (Fayette County and surrounding counties)
Saturday, April 5 from 9 am to 3 pm
Bluegrass Community & Technical College - Newtown Campus
For more information and to register, click here.

Somerset Community College Earth Day Celebration
Sunday, April 13 from 1 to 4:30 pm
Email kelly.johnson@kctcs.edu with interest or questions.

Boyle County Earth Day Festival
Saturday, April 26 from 11 am to 2 pm
Constitution Square Park, Danville
Email preston.miles@centre.edu with interest or questions.

Salt River Summit
Spring 2025
More info coming soon!

In-Person Training Workshops
(more details and workshops to be posted soon)

NOTE: ALL ATTENDEES MUST FIRST COMPLETE THE ONLINE TRAINING MODULES BEFORE REGISTERING TO ATTEND A WORKSHOP. PRE-REGISTER FOR WORKSHOPS HERE.
The form provides you with the option to suggest a more convenient training location if one is not scheduled in your area.

Watershed Watch relies on donations to maintain its programming and reach additional samplers.