News Updates

Congratulations to...

Wayne Kirkpatrick for winning this year’s 2007 Virginia Environmental Stewardship Awards co-sponsored by the Virginia Petroleum Council (a division of the American Petroleum Institute) and the Commonwealth of Virginia.  Wayne Kirkpatrick won in the “communications” category and the press release states the following:

Kirkpatrick has made significant contributions to water quality monitoring of streams in Southside Virginia. He has developed detailed training sessions for local students and teachers as a way to expand monitoring efforts and increase awareness of the need to protect water quality. He is a founding chair of Virginia Citizens for Water Quality Monitoring and a frequent speaker at schools, festivals, fairs and clubs. His work also includes coordination with Trout Unlimited and the Dan River Basin Association.  

What the press release didn’t say is that Wayne is a certified VA SOS monitor and regional trainer!  Congratulations to Wayne and the Dan River Basin Association!

Quality Assurance Measures

Has it been a while since you were last certified?  VA SOS asks that you keep your certification current by going through a re-certification process every two years.  Please contact Stacey Brown or your regional coordinator/trainer to schedule a re-certification!

Virginia Citizens for Water Quality Summit

What’s Ahead…

Virginia Citizens for Water Quality Summit – July 21, 2007 – University of Virginia – for more information go to www.virginiacwq.org

Region III Volunteer Monitoring Conference – October 19 – 21 – Shenandoah University, Winchester – more details will be in the Summer Newsletter

Benthic Creature Profile

Aquatic Sowbug

(Isopoda)

Photo courtesy of US EPA

This quarter we are featuring the order aquatic sowbug.  Generally we only see one family of these organisms, Asellidae.  The Sowbug is an isopod and a crustacean. It has many more than the six legs of the insects. It is often gray in color but that can vary.  One species of sowbug, Asellus communis, is used as a fly pattern for nymph fishing in slow-flowing waters.  Interestingly, the pill bug commonly found under rocks is a cousin to our aquatic sowbug

and is the only crustacean that has evolved to live as a terrestrial organism.  The aquatic sowbug are usually burrowers and feed on detritus on the bottom of streams.

Meet a Monitor!

We are pleased to recognize the dedicated monitors who make VA SOS the organization that it is!  This quarter we recognize Steve and Wendy Richards.

Monitor Name:  Steve and Wendy Richards

Watershed Address: South Buffalo Creek, Buffalo Creek, Maury River, Upper James River, Chesapeake Bay

Stream(s) Monitored:  Bratton’s Run, Buffalo Creek, Maury River, Woods Creek

Years Monitoring:  15

I bet you didn't know that that Wendy is an avid birder and Steve a long distance bicyclist.  He bicycled from his back door to Victoria, BC during 3 summers.

	Steve and Wendy Richards

The Last Word…

Ever wish you could strut your stuff with apparel and bumper stickers with the Virginia Save Our Streams logo on it?  Now you can!  Check out our “store” at www.cafepress.com/vasos If you don’t see the logo combination you are looking for, let me know and we can customize it for you!

Check out the Virginia Citizens for Water Quality Awards…

Nominate a deserving volunteer, organization, or government employee. 

www.virginiacwq.org/awards.htm

Have an article or picture you would like to share with other VA SOS monitors?  Send it to Stacey to be included in the Summer 2007 Newsletter

Virginia Save Our Streams

P.O. Box 8297

Richmond

Virginia

23226

804-615-5036

E-Mail Us!

We’re on the Web!

www.vasos.org