The Sno-King Watershed Council, a collaborative group protecting area waterways, has been awarded two grants to begin a community-based water monitoring program in North King and South Snohomish Counties.

Fostering citizen stewardship through volunteering to capture data concerning the physical, chemical and biological indicators of local ecology health is the goal of the program.

Monitors can use the data collected to help protect, restore and advocate for the improvement of water quality of watersheds, streams and lakes and for public health.

The Sno-King Watershed Council will be hosting two orientation meetings for citizens interested in becoming a water monitor and three workshops for monitors.

The orientations will be hosted June 9 at 1:30 p.m. and again at 7:30 p.m.

The workshops are free, though participants are expected to purchase a workbook and the text “The Streamkeeper’s Field Guide”, and run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., including a lunch break.

June 17 – Introduction to water monitoring & bacteriological monitoring.June 18 – Water chemistry monitoring.June 19 – Biological indicators of stream health.

Each workshop will include a class work and hands-on field work.

All events will be hosted at the Adopt-A-Stream Northwest Stream Center at 600 – 128th St. SE in Everett.

For more information, please visit www.snokingwatershedcouncil.org.