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Volunteer Monitoring of Salt Marshes in Massachusetts
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Last Updated: March 2000
Contact Information
Vivian Kooken
Salem Sound 2000
201-203 Washington St., Suite 9
Salem, MA 01970
Phone: (508) 741-7900
E-mail: Vivian Kooken (ss2000@cove.com)
Jan Smith
Mass Bays NEP
100 Cambridge Street – Floor 20
Boston, MA 02202
Phone: (617) 626-1231
E-mail: Jan Smith (jan.smith@state.ma.us)
Purpose(s) of Project
Salem Sound 2000 and 8 Towns and the Bay participated in a salt marsh monitoring pilot project in conjunction with UMass Extension Service, Massachusetts Bays National Estuary Program, and Massachusetts Coastal Zone Management.
During the summer of 1999, over 40 volunteers participated in workshops and field work on a variety of parameters: water chemistry, land use index (a habitat assessment), aquatic macroinvertebrates, tidal influence, and vegetation. Professional scientists performed independent assessments, and the volunteers conducted assessments--using the same sampling protocols as the professionals--with the guidance of trained staff members. The project is expected to be used as a model in other areas of New England.