Centre County Pennsylvania Senior Environmental Corps

November 11, 2020 - General Meeting - Zoom Meeting, 9:00 AM

ALLARM: (Alliance for Aquatic Resource Monitoring) CCPaSEC has been asked to share our data with a regional data base for use by the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. We decided to participate and share our data.

Publicity: CCPaSEC was featured in the Centre County Gazette's Sept. 24-30 edition on page 12. We need a member to take over the publicity duties. Please notify Lou Mayer if you are interested.

Quality Control: Duplicate tests have been completed. Bill presented a report which will be posted to our website's Quality Control page. All members are reminded to ensure that all reagent in a packet be completely emptied when testing.

Training and Membership: Teams 9, 7 and Team 5 need more members. There was discussion of members needing to be RSVP members for insurance coverage. We may also be covered under ClearWater's policy. It will be investigated. If so, this may allow folks who are not 55 to become CCPaSEC members.

Data: Joyce, Rob, and Bill are working with a PSU graduate who is continuing development on a new database for our data. He has about 1 month to go, but the project may continue with other students in the PSU IST department.

Equipment & Supplies: The yearly equipment check will be scheduled in January, and supplies ordered for 2021

The discussion of the revised Flow document which was distributed to the membership will be tabled to January or February of 2021.

New CCPaSEC Brochure: Carolyn, has been working with Andrea Murrell from ClearWater on a new brochure to be funded through a grant we received. The draft was distributed to the membership. There were many positive comments.

Nominations for 2021 Officers: Susan Sapp is willing to take on the office of President. Other current officers are willing to stay in their positions. Needed is someone to take the responsibility of publicity. Voting will be held at the Zoom meeting in December.

The next general meeting of CCPaSEC will be December 9, 2020 on Zoom.

October 14, 2020 - General Meeting - Zoom Meeting, 9:00 AM

ALLARM: Julie Vastine from the Alliance for Aquatic Resource Monitoring at Dickinson College gave a presentation on the ALLARM program. https://www.dickinson.edu/Allarm CCPaSEC has been asked to share our data with a regional data base for use by the Chesapeake Bay Watershed. We will discuss this at the November meeting and decide whether to participate.

Publicity: CCPaSEC was featured in the Centre County Gazette's Sept. 24-30 edition on page 12.

Quality Control: Only 1 more team needs to have duplicate tests completed. Duplicate testing should be completed in a few weeks.

Training and Membership: Team 7 and Team 5 need more members. Team 7, whose new leader is Sharon Manno, monitors on the third Monday of the month.

Data: Joyce, Rob, and Bill are working with a PSU graduate who is continuing development on a new database for our data. Progress is being made and is continuing.

Equipment & Supplies: For the equipment check done yearly in January, meter batteries will be replaced and maintenance on the DO meters will be completed on an as needed basis.

PSU Lab Testing for Non-Marcellus sites: A request was made to have Dr. Brantley at PSU perform lab testing of Non-Marcellus team samples. Discussion followed as to the procedures and timing that would be needed to accomplish this. Dr. Brantley requested that samples from one team at a time would have to be turned in with Marcellus samples. The decision will be made at the November meeting.

PA Master Naturalist Program: Carolyn, Lou, Genie and Dan presented the history and background of CCPaSEC as part of the Citizen Science portion of the program, and demonstrated our testing procedures with small groups at Shaver's Creek on October 1.

The next general meeting of CCPaSEC will be November 11, 2020.

September 9, 2020 - General Meeting - Zoom Meeting, 9:00 AM

Quality Control: Only 2 more teams need to have duplicate tests completed. Duplicate testing should be completed in a few weeks.

Publicity: A volunteer is needed to take over for Ken, who has done a fantastic job in the position.

Training and Membership: Ralph presented a document regarding flow measuring points on the stream. The goal is to have consistent measurement points up/down and across the stream. It was mentioned that there is a tab on the flow calculator on the web site that leaders can print out and take to the stream for determining points to take depth and flow measurements depending on stream width.

Data: Joyce, Rob, and Bill are working with a PSU graduate who is continuing development on a new database for our data. Progress is being made and is continuing.

Macros: Genie will work with teams who need assistance with macro surveys. She wants to remind leaders that nets must be washed before storing! Contact her if your team needs assistance.

Officer Nominations for 2021: Lou will be stepping down as President. A nominee is needed to fill this position. Carolyn is willing to continue as VP, as are Pat as Secretary and Rob as Treasurer. We are asked to nominate or volunteer for officer positions for 2021.

PSU Lab Testing for Non-Marcellus sites: A request was made to have Dr. Brantley at PSU perform lab testing of Non-Marcellus team samples. Discussion followed as to the procedures and timing that would be needed to accomplish this. Dr. Brantley requested that samples from one team at a time would have to be turned in with Marcellus samples. Rob offered to pick up a sample on the day Marcellus samples are delivered and do a trial run. Because some teams are not currently meeting for testing, the group decided to delay action until January.

PA Master Naturalist Program: Carolyn, Lou, Genie and Dan will present the history and background of CCPaSEC as part of the Citizen Science portion of the program, and demonstrate our testing procedures with small groups at Shaver's Creek.

Regional Database for use by the Chesapeake Bay Watershed: CCPaSEC data is being considered to be included in a regional database by ALLARM (Alliance for Aquatic Resource Monitoring), the PADEP (PA Department of Environmental Protection), and the Centre County Conservation District.

The next general meeting of CCPaSEC will be October 14, 2020.

July 8, 2020 - General Meeting - Zoom Meeting, 9:00 AM

Website: The special newsletter about Doug Macneal has been published as well as the revised Constitution and By-laws.

Quality Control: The schedule set up for duplicate testing has been redone due to our suspended activities. Dave Truesdale and Mick McKay are helping this summer with a target to be completed over the summer. 3-4 teams' duplicate testing should be completed by the end of July.

Publicity: Lou complemented Ken on the well done special newsletter about Doug Macneal. Ken is looking for articles for the September newsletter. Posters, business cards, and hand-outs are available from Ken if anyone wants them.

Equipment & Supplies: Two meters were purchased with grant money. The Hach DR-900 colorimeter is being used by the Quality Control Team for duplicate testing. The FloWatch FW-450 flowmeter is in reserve. Bill laminated a set of instructions for the new DR-900 colorimeter to accompany it. These instructions will be available on the website. Dan mentioned the larger flowmeter impeller should be used if possible when doing stream flow.

Data: Joyce, Rob, and Bill are working with a PSU graduate who is continuing development on a new database for our data.

Macros: Genie will work with teams who need assistance with macro surveys during August and September. Contact her if your team needs assistance.

Officer Nominations for 2021: Members are asked to nominate or volunteer for officer positions for 2021. The discussion will begin at September's meeting.

Clearfield PASEC Combined Picnic: The August 3 picnic was canceled by the Clearfield County SEC.

There will be no regular August CCPaSEC meeting.

The next general meeting of CCPaSEC will be September 9, 2020

June 10, 2020 - General Meeting - Zoom Meeting, 9:00 AM

Volunteer Hours: Hours were very few due to the recommendations from RSVP to suspend in person activities.

Quality Control: The schedule set up for duplicate testing is still being redone due to our suspended activities. Dave Truesdale and Mick McKay will help this summer with a target to be completed over the summer.

Publicity:

• June is safety month. It is critical to be aware of elevated risk days when the heat index is high and your team is most susceptible to heat illness. Heat stroke is dangerous and it is important our volunteers know and can recognize the symptoms. The following suggestions were made for hot days: take an ice pack for cool down; cancel outing if the temperatures will be too high (most teams go out in the morning); if someone is too warm put them in the stream or an air-conditioned vehicle, provide shade in regular intervals. Prevent dehydration and provide coolers with water or an electrolyte-rich sport drink.
  Have Smart phone? Download the NIOSH/OSHA Heat App [iOS | Android] to access a simple 'real feel temperature' heat calculator on your device.
• Ken is looking for articles for the September newsletter.
• Posters, business cards, and hand-outs are available from Ken if anyone wants them.
• Throughout June, Allegheny County Conservation District (ACCD) will host a lunch-and-learn webinar series about streams and stormwater. Each week, ACCD staff will walk attendees through an essential aspect of stream health and stormwater systems. Sessions will build on each other to explain the relationship between human activity and water quality. These webinars will also review strategies to improve regional water quality and manage stormwater. Registration is free but required: https://bit.ly/2M7VoGx.
  View previous webinars on soil, erosion control, tree planting, and manure management here: https://bit.ly/2TQxBz0 and click on Past Events.

Equipment & Supplies: Two meters were purchased with grant money - a Hach DR-900 colorimeter and a FloWatch FW-450 flowmeter. There are enough supplies for the coming year.

Data: Joyce, Rob, and Bill are working with PSU students who are developing a new database for our data. The data audit has been completed.

Constitution and By-Laws: Carolyn, Genie, and Laurie worked on revisions to the Constitution and By-Laws which were sent out prior to the meeting for review. Participating members passed the revisions.

RSVP Insurance: A question was asked as to whether the insurance provided to members by RSVP for our CCPaSEC activities remains active while RSVP is still suspending activities. Laurie will speak to RSVP and Carolyn to ClearWater concerning this issue.

Clearfield PASEC Combined Picnic: The picnic will be held on Monday, August 3 at Bilger's Rocks State Park.
11-12 social hour, 12-1 lunch, 1 - 1:45 speaker
(Tali MacArthur "Program Management for Watershed Outreach")
There will not be a regular August CCPaSEC meeting.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the next general meeting will be held as a ZOOM meeting on July 8, 2020 at 9 AM. Watch your email for a link for the meeting several days in advance.

May 13, 2020 - General Meeting - Zoom Meeting, 9:00 AM

Volunteer Hours: Hours were very few due to the recommendations from RSVP to suspend in person activities.

Quality Control: The schedule set up for duplicate testing will be redone due to our suspended activities.

Publicity: The June newsletter has been distributed and is published on our website. We are looking for short articles for our newsletter. It is another way we can communicate to our members who are unable to attend our meetings.

Equipment: A question was asked if the tip of the Oakton meters should be stored in solution during a prolonged time of disuse. Yes, the tips should be stored in solution. If the solution becomes cloudy, it should be replaced.

Data: Joyce, Rob, and Bill are working with PSU students who are developing a new database for our data. The data audit has been completed.

Macros: Genie decided our teams should skip the Spring survey. She will take requests for help if needed with the Fall survey.

Clearfield PASEC Combined Picnic: The picnic will be held on Monday, August 3 at Bilger's Rocks State Park.
11-12 social hour, 12-1 lunch, 1 - 1:45 speaker
(Tali MacArthur "Program Management for Watershed Outreach")
There will not be a regular August CCPaSEC meeting.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the next general meeting will be held as a ZOOM meeting on June 10, 2020 at 9 AM. Watch your email for a link for the meeting several days in advance.

March 11, 2020 - General Meeting - at Willowbank Building, Room 317, 9:30 AM

Quality Control: The schedule has been set up for duplicate testing. Bill found some anomalies including Sinking Creek. It was suggested that it might be run-off due to frozen ground or the sample cells for that kit might need replacing.

Training: Ralph has a new training document ready for proofreading. He suggested that members should learn all tasks and complete each several times.

Grant Applications: Gary will work with the communication strategist at Clearwater determining how best to use the grant received from the Community Foundation. The grant has been received from Dominion Energy which will be used to purchase a new colorimeter and flow meter. Receipts will be required.

Supplies: Dan purchased two new impellers for flow meters. There are calibration standards and storage solutions available.

Publicity: The newsletter will be sent out quarterly. We are looking for short articles for our newsletter. It is another way we can communicate to our members who are unable to attend our meetings.

Constitution & By-laws: Genie and Laurie have been reviewing the By-laws. Copies were distributed to those present to review and discuss at the next meeting. The addendums will be reviewed later.

Data: Joyce and Rob are working on a data audit for our recorded data. Joyce requested that those who enter data review their data sheets for consistent values. The data audit needs to be completed for the PSU students who are working on a new database for our data. The goal for the audit to be completed is early April.

Macros: Bill distributed new "cheat sheets" for macros which will be available on our website.

Insurance: "Volunteers Insurance Service" is provided by RSVP. Brochures were distributed to the members present and team leaders should provide the brochure for new team members. Rob suggested that a copy be added to the kits. Joyce inquired about adding the insurance brochure to the web site. We will inquire if there is a link on RSVP's website. Laurie suggested that we should have forms available for new CCPaSEC members to join RSVP.

Watershed Clean-up Day: Sat. May 2, 8am - 12pm. Volunteers are needed for clean-up as well as to help with the picnic. If you can help, please contact Genie.

Clearfield PASEC Combined Picnic: The picnic will be held on August 3 at Bilger's Rocks State Park. 11-12 social hour, 12-1 lunch, 1 - 1:45 speaker (Tali MacArthur "Program Management for Watershed Outreach") There will not be a regular August CCPaSEC meeting.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the next general meeting will be determined based on guidance from RSVP and the Pennsylvania state government.

February 12, 2020 - General Meeting - at Willowbank Building, Room 317, 9:30 AM

Election of Officers: Officers elected for 2020 are: President - Lou Mayer; Vice-president - Carolyn Hatley; Treasurer - Rob Fugate; and Secretary - Pat DeLotto.

Equipment Check: 12 members met at Bald Eagle State Park to check our equipment. Batteries were replaced, broken pieces were repaired or replaced and meters were calibrated using calibration standards.

Quality Control: For 2020 it was decided to continue with duplicate testing with each team at their sites. A schedule for QC team members to follow is being developed by Bill Smith, our QC Team leader. Unusual readings should be reported to Bill, Lou and Justin Kozak. Sample cells should be clean, caps should not be exchanged on different sample cells, only a soft cloth should be used in cleaning, and cells should be replaced when scratched or cloudy.

Training: Training will continue to take place at the team level on site.

CCPaSEC Constitution and By-laws: Carolyn, Genie and Laurie will review the Constitution and By-laws, suggest necessary revisions and present them to the group for approval when completed.

Grant Applications: The application for "Dominion Energy Watershed Mini Grant" and the grant from the Foundation for PA Watersheds are pending. A new Constellation grant was applied for as well. Members may visit local businesses to solicit funding with approval from Clearwater Conservancy.

Supplies: Each team now has a chemical analysis kit and a macro kit. The kits should not be stored in freezing temperatures.

Publicity: An article about watershed monitoring was published in the Penn State online news. Science writer, Matt Swayne did a story with Jack Carroll. CCPaSEC photos were included and the group was mentioned. The story can be viewed at: 'Citizen scientists may be an untapped resource for water quality improvement'.

Hours Report: For the year of 2019 there was a total of member volunteer hours of 2748.75. The CCPaSEC Volunteer Hours Valuation for 2019 is $68,553.83.

Data: A group of PSU students and advisors is considering using our data in a data management project. The group will look at the PaSEC and TU data and help us analyze the data in the future. A data base should be used and the ability to analyze parameters over time should be included. The students were invited to attend a meeting and sampling.

Macros: Team leaders need to make sure nets are dried out after every use. Forceps should be counted before cleaning nets.

Watershed Clean-up Day: Sat. May 2, 8am - 12pm. Volunteers are needed for clean-up as well as to help with the picnic. If you can help, please contact Genie.

The next general meeting will be on March 11, 2020,  9:30 AM, Willowbank Building, Room 317, Bellefonte.