Their comments were addressed to the volunteers sampling and testing the waters of the Monoshone Creek, a tributary of the Wissahickon Creek, in Fairmount Park in Philadelphia. Volunteer monitors conduct chemical tests on site, look for possible pollution sources, record the presence of plant and animal life, and document erosion and riparian buffer zone information. These data provide a quick and easy way to judge the relative health of a watershed.
Continuous monitoring provides an ever-changing picture of the watershed.
That is why we are so supportive of our Pennsylvania Senior Environment Corps, and why we are proud of the incredible degree of interest in the program we've found throughout the state. Senior volunteers have donated more than 15,000 hours of their time since the program began in 1997. The Pennsylvania Senior Environment Corps has put environment on the agenda for seniors all over the state. And, it's a natural fit. Grandparents want to pass on a clean environment to their grandchildren and the work they do as water monitors and to teach children about the environment helps.