MountainTrue FAQ: SMIE Volunteering

Let’s chat bugs! Last December on the MountainTrue blog, we considered What’s Bugging Our Rivers. Today, we’ll take a deeper dive into our participation in the Stream Monitoring Information Exchange (SMIE) program and our partnership with the Environmental Quality Institute (EQI), based in Black Mountain, NC. We’ll split this blog post into two main sections: we’ll start with a summary of the SMIE program and our partnership with EQI and conclude with a brief SMIE volunteer FAQ.

About SMIE

SMIE is a collaborative, volunteer-based biological water quality monitoring program that analyzes aquatic macroinvertebrate population data from across Western North Carolina (WNC). The SMIE program was developed in 2004 by Clean Water for North Carolina (CWFNC) (as creative lead), EQI, Haywood Waterways Association, Riverlink, and two of MountainTrue’s predecessor organizations: the Environmental Conservation Organization (ECO) and the WNC Alliance.

Benthic macroinvertebrates — including aquatic stream bottom-dwelling insects like stoneflies, caddisflies, hellgrammites, and more — are excellent indicators of the comprehensive water quality of a stream because they have limited mobility, specific habitat requirements, and distinct pollution tolerance levels. You could say that aquatic macroinvertebrates are artists — they paint a revealing picture of the overall health of aquatic ecosystems. As the metaphorical art historians of the SMIE world, experts at EQI and their partner organizations analyze the physical cues left by these tiny yet essential aquatic insect artists. The expert analyses of SMIE data across multiple watersheds help us better understand our region’s vibrant water quality history and present reality.

About EQI and MountainTrue’s partnership

Our partnership began in 1992 when EQI partnered with ECO — one of MountainTrue’s three predecessor organizations — to conduct surface water monitoring in Henderson County as part of EQI’s *Volunteer Water Information Network (VWIN) program. Thirty years (and a whole lot of water quality testing) later, MountainTrue continues to collect and deliver monthly water quality samples to EQI, and we now provide EQI with our SMIE data for analysis.

One of EQI’s primary goals is to increase public awareness about regional water quality and environmental issues across WNC. Involving the public in the SMIE data collection process allows EQI and MountainTrue to significantly expand our sampling capacity and add credibility to citizen science programs.

EQI currently coordinates SMIE sampling at 49 sites in five WNC counties (Buncombe, Madison, Haywood, Mitchell, and Yancy). EQI also provides technical support for its partner organizations using the SMIE protocol throughout WNC and Eastern TN. As an EQI partner, MountainTrue coordinates SMIE volunteer training and sampling in Henderson, Polk, and Cleveland counties. SMIE sampling efforts occur each spring and fall, typically in April and October.

Check out EQI’s Water Quality Map to see sampling locations and review data from the past 30 years of water quality monitoring!

*One of EQI’s major programs, VWIN is a volunteer-based network that has been conducting chemical surface water monitoring in WNC streams on a monthly basis since 1990. Learn more about and get involved with EQI’s VWIN work here.

Why our partnership matters

The North Carolina Division of Water Resources (NC DWR) monitors water quality throughout the state, prioritizing testing sites with existing and pressing issues. The agency’s minimal number of testing sites and low sampling frequency have both continued to decrease over time due to lack of capacity — this means that water quality in many WNC streams is not regularly monitored… That’s where we come in!

The SMIE program monitors the water quality of urban, rural, and forested streams in priority WNC watersheds and tributaries without existing watershed plans or projects. By consistently monitoring WNC streams, EQI and MountainTrue can assess long-term water quality trends that highlight the interrelated relationship between the health of local waterways and resident aquatic insect populations.

This comprehensive knowledge provides valuable insights into the effects of *pollution in our local waterways. Essentially, WNC streams with higher pollution levels have fewer aquatic insects and are less hospitable to other aquatic and riparian species, like native fish, salamanders, and streamside plants. Alternatively, the presence of pollution-sensitive aquatic insect species indicates cleaner, healthier streams with greater biodiversity.

*The most common types of pollution include:

Stormwater runoff from impervious surfaces like parking lots, roads, buildings, and other structures. Littered trash is frequently swept up in the flow of running stormwater, quickly making its way into local waterways.
Bacteria and chemical pollution, often caused by sewer and septic system overflows, agriculture runoff, and industrial effluent.
Sediment pollution, often caused by erosion of stream banks, some animal agriculture practices, and runoff from construction sites and plowed fields.
Wastewater human and animal waste, industrial effluent, and trash.

SMIE Volunteer FAQ

Q: Why should folks want to volunteer for SMIE?

It’s a super fun way to connect with the environment and your community through citizen science and shared experience. SMIE volunteers get hands-on experience with a unique and essential facet of environmentalism (aquatic insects!) and make meaningful contributions to environmental protection!

Q: What does a typical SMIE volunteer day look like?

MountainTrue or EQI’s SMIE experts meet volunteers at our sampling sites and provide all the supplies needed for a day of aquatic insect sampling: nets, buckets, filters, ice cube trays, forceps, datasheets, and waterproof waders. A group leader accompanies each volunteer group, completing all aquatic insect identification and ensuring proper SMIE protocol is followed. The data collected by SMIE volunteers is recorded and sent back to the EQI or MountainTrue labs, where it’s entered into our long-term database.

In total, sampling an SMIE site takes between one and a half to three hours. Volunteers are expected to sample at least two SMIE sites each spring and fall season. We collect our samples using the three collection methods detailed in the SMIE protocol:

Kick Net Collection

One volunteer holds the large net while another kicks just upstream. The kicking disturbs the stream bed, dislodging aquatic insects from the sediment and off of rocks before they’re picked up in the stream’s flow and caught in the net. SMIE protocol calls for two volunteers to collect macroinvertebrates from the net for 20 minutes.

Leaf Pack Collection

Fallen leaves are an important source of nutrients and shelter for many aquatic insects. As the leaves move downstream, they collect on rocks, fallen sticks and logs, and along stream banks — as they decompose, insects move in. Volunteers fill a bucket with decomposing leaves and sort through the leaf pack to find insects. Volunteers can also collect insects with a strainer used to filter water from the soggy leaves. Volunteers typically spend five minutes collecting insects from the leaf pack.

Visual Collection

A volunteer wades through the stream and examines various microhabitats for aquatic insects. Insects are typically found under rocks, along river banks where tree roots interact with the stream, and in leaf packs. They can also be found by filtering stream water through a strainer.

Q: Do I have to be trained to volunteer? Where can I sign up for a training/when is the next one?

In order to ensure our data is reliable, the SMIE program requires all volunteers to be trained. EQI and MountainTrue host SMIE training workshops twice per year in the fall and spring. Training workshops are broken into morning and afternoon sessions. Morning sessions are education-focused — volunteers learn about the basics of stream ecology, aquatic insect identification, SMIE protocol, and the history and importance of the SMIE program and water quality monitoring in general. Afternoon streamside sessions offer volunteers the chance to put their newfound knowledge to the test — volunteers are trained in all collection methods and get hands-on practice with aquatic insect identification.

Additionally, EQI offers group leader training to especially passionate SMIE volunteers. Group leaders receive additional training in SMIE protocol and insect identification.

Both EQI and MountainTrue are hosting SMIE training workshops this spring! MountainTrue will be training volunteers for Henderson and Polk counties on March 5. EQI will be training volunteers for Buncombe, Madison, Haywood, Mitchell, and Yancy counties on April 2. Stay tuned for updates on upcoming training workshops in MountainTrue’s High Country Region!

Click here to register for MountainTrue’s 3/5 training workshop!

Click here to register for EQI’s 4/2 training workshop

Have other SMIE questions? Feel free to reach out to our SMIE experts and SMIE Volunteer FAQ co-authors:

Mara Chamlee, MountainTrue's AmeriCorps Water Quality Administrator

Kaila Christensen, EQI's AmeriCorps Stream Monitoring Coordinator

French Broad Water Quality Intern – summer

French Broad Water Quality Intern

Position Description:
The French Broad Riverkeeper team is currently seeking an intern to help with monitoring for E.coli and microplastics in our local waterways. Bacteria is one of the biggest pollutants within the French Broad River basin. We have two monitoring programs aimed at tracking its sources. Our intent with these programs is twofold— 1). to alert the public of high E. coli levels to ensure safe water for safe recreation, and 2) pinpointing sewer/septic leaks and agricultural runoff problems in order to get them fixed.

Microplastics are an emerging issue we are tackling. Not many studies have been done on microplastics on freshwater systems, especially on headwater watersheds. It is our goal to begin quantifying this pollution.

Ideally, this intern would help facilitate both programs, 2-3 days per week. The experience is a particularly excellent opportunity for a public health, chemistry, biology, geography, or environmental science student who wants to demonstrate skills in leadership and project management with measurable outcomes. The ratio of inside to outside time is about 50:50.

Responsibilities:
The position involves coordinating sampling volunteers, performing lab and field work, managing data, conducting research, and distributing results to the public. The ideal candidate will possess charisma and leadership skills, and an above-average attention to detail. No prior knowledge or experience in water quality monitoring is necessary; training will be provided. Special attention will be given to individuals who historically have been underrepresented in the environmental field.

Requirements:

Strong attention to detail and organization
Ability to adhere to strict, but simple, Quality Control measures
Ability to lift and carry cooler full of ice, bend over to collect sample up to 30 times per day, and maintain a steady hand in the lab
Familiarity with Excel and ability to keep accurate records
Ability to teach others
Willingness to drive your own car up to collect samples
Commitment to the goal of improving water quality through citizen science
Experience with communication around environmental issues preferred

Start date: Flexible between late May and June
End date: Flexible, but ideally through late September

Work schedule: Approximately 2-3 days per week

Compensation: Flat daily rate (amount to be determined contingent upon grant funding) plus mileage reimbursed at approximately $0.47 per mile

Location: This position will work with staff in our Asheville office. The samples will be collected throughout the French Broad Watershed

There are no required documents with the application form, but please tell us about your skill set, personality and passions. Including a resume or cover letter is optional. Apply through this form.

Western Region Water Quality Intern

Western Region Water Quality Intern

Internship Overview:

MountainTrue’s Western Regional Office is located in Murphy, NC, serving seven counties in Southwestern North Carolina and two counties in North Georgia. This paid internship is within MountainTrue’s Clean Water program and is part-time for a total of 150 hours. The intern must live within 50 miles of Murphy, NC, as the majority of the work will be within that radius. However, the work schedule within the week is somewhat flexible.

Position Description:

The intern’s primary responsibilities will be to assist with collection and analysis of weekly E.coli samples for our Swim Guide monitoring program and to manage the microplastics sampling program in the Hiwassee River basin. This work involves traveling around a four-county area, collecting water quality samples, interacting with volunteers, and conducting lab analyses.

Another major focus of the internship is to assist with distribution of supplies and certification workshops for the long-established volunteer water quality monitoring program in the Hiwassee River watershed (Cherokee & Clay counties in NC and Towns & Union counties in GA). And planning a summertime social event for all water program volunteers.

Other responsibilities may include sampling natural drinking water sources and helping with educational events related to water quality in rivers, lakes, and streams.

Eligibility:

Must have completed your junior year of high school (at minimum).
Must have independent, reliable transportation, valid driver’s license, and be willing/able to travel alone within a 50-mile radius of Murphy
Must be committed to completing the whole internship (150 hours)
Should be considering a career in one of the fields listed on our scholarship webpage

Desired skills:

Organized, with a high level of attention to detail
Experience working with volunteers, or as a volunteer
Ideally some background in water quality monitoring, but not required

Application deadline: March 30, 2024

Start date: May 21, 2024

End date: Early August 2024

Work schedule: Internship is approximately 12.5 hours/week for 12 weeks. Tuesday-Thursday are the preferred days of the work week, but the intern will often be working independently and some work can be done remotely.

Location: The intern must live within a 50-mile radius of Murphy, NC.

Compensation: The WRO intern will receive a taxable stipend of $1,500, and mileage will be reimbursed at $0.67 per mile.

Including a resume is optional. Apply through this form.

Community Outreach and Water Quality Intern

Community Outreach and Water Quality Intern

Internship Overview:
The Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation (ZSR) runs the Non-Profit Internship Program (NPIP) for a cohort of eligible college students placed with host organizations across North Carolina each summer. This internship is a paid position in the NPIP program hosted by MountainTrue. NPIP is an eight-week long paid summer internship (beginning around May 31st for most) where students are matched with and work with nonprofit organizations from across North Carolina. Internships offer a range of exposure and skill-building opportunities in areas such as research, community outreach, public policy, communications, fundraising and social media. In addition to the internship, students will have the opportunity to connect with other interns in the program and participate in ongoing professional development throughout the summer.

Eligible students must be:

A rising sophomore, junior, or senior enrolled full-time in a four-year North Carolina college or university; OR
A rising sophomore, junior or senior North Carolina resident enrolled full-time in a four-year accredited college outside the state; AND
Pell grant-eligible in the academic year in which they apply for NPIP. As a part of the application process, students will be asked to upload their Student Aid Report verifying their Pell grant eligibility. Students can access this document through their FAFSA login. Click here for further directions. Students ineligible for a Pell grant due to documentation issues or criminal conviction may be eligible and should contact Clare Bradshaw. For more information, check the Non-Profit Internship Program FAQs.

Position Description:
For the water quality portion of the position, this intern will help facilitate our summer water quality programs, both aimed at tracking sources of bacteria pollution in the river. Our intent with these programs is twofold— 1). to alert the public of high E. coli levels to ensure safe water for safe recreation, and 2) pinpointing sewer/septic leaks and agricultural runoff problems in order to get them fixed. This position will be coordinating water sampling volunteers, taking water samples, performing lab and field work, managing data, conducting research, and distributing and disseminating results to the public.

When not working with our water quality team, this position will support our Communications Team and Community Engagement Director with press releases, media advisories, outreach events, educational programs and/or advocacy campaigns. This work could include promoting events on social media, helping coordinate volunteer work days, preparing materials for educational displays, managing information in our advocacy database, and other tasks that help us communicate with the public about the environmental threats our region faces and our plans to respond to those threats.

Skills of Intern:

Positive attitude, comfortable with a changing schedule as needed per weather and other factors, attention to detail, eager to learn, skilled in communications, ideally with experience writing press releases or other written pieces for the public to read, ideally some background in water quality monitoring, but not required

Suggested Major or Degree:

For the water quality work majors in the sciences such as chemistry or biology would be helpful or environmental science broadly. Though majors in policy, marketing, or communications would be helpful for the community outreach work, so we are flexible.

Start date: Within the last week of May or the first week of June
End date: Dependent on the start date. This position lasts for 8 full weeks.

Work schedule: Generally Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm

Location: This position will work with staff in our Asheville office. The samples will be collected throughout the French Broad Watershed.

Compensation: Interns receive a taxable stipend of $3,200 and mileage will be reimbursed at approximately $0.47 per mile

To apply for this position, complete the ZSR NPIP Application Form and select MountainTrue as your preferred Non-Profit Organization on the first question of the form. Applications are due by Monday, February 21, 2022.

Creation Care Intern

Internship for Creation Care

Position Description:
The Creation Care Alliance (CCA) is the faith-based program of MountainTrue. CCA is a network of people of faith and congregations who have united around a moral and spiritual call to preserve the integrity, beauty, and health of God’s creation. The intern for creation care will assist the CCA director and other CCA leaders in planning, promoting, and facilitating programmatic offerings while organizing faith communities in the region to create local change.

The intern will also aid the director in overseeing organizational social media pages, completing administrative tasks such as basic email correspondence and returning phone calls, and helping with community outreach. Though certain aspects of the internship will be mandatory, there is flexibility in terms of programmatic focus. Focus will be determined according to the gifts and vocational discernment of the successful applicant.

Qualifications:

Experience: A background in faith-based work/congregational life, love and appreciation for the natural world, and basic understanding of the environmental issues facing our communities (such as climate change, species loss, and environmental injustice) is necessary. Teaching and community organizing experience, whether formal or informal, would be preferred in addition to knowledge of ecological theology and religious environmental movements.
Education: Undergraduate and graduate students in programs such as religious studies, environmental studies, sustainable development, social work, or environmental ethics could be well-suited for this position. In the past, selected interns have been current divinity school students in the process of receiving their Master of Divinity (MDiv). Though students have served in this role in the past, we are open to those in other seasons of life.
Required Skills/Framework: Strong written and verbal communication skills; strong critical thinking skills; strong organization skills; social media ability; honesty; empathy; creativity; the ability to work independently; the ability to work well in a team; the desire to learn and grow alongside colleagues with the same intention.

Additional requirements: Access to a personal computer and reliable (enough) internet service.

Start date: Flexible, typically following the school year (over the course of a semester or summer break)
End date: Flexible, typically following the school year (at the end of the semester or summer break)

Work schedule: Flexible in terms of workdays and hours (with some weekends included given the nature of the position and congregational schedules). Past interns in the CCA program have worked anywhere from 10 – 40 hrs per week. Internships during the summer often have higher weekly hours than internships during the school year due to class scheduling and requirements.

Location: This position will focus on communities throughout western North Carolina, though the majority of this work can be completed online. It is preferred that interns reside in western North Carolina during the time of their internship though this can be discussed and is not necessary.

Compensation: $15 per hour unless compensated by other sources (such as through one’s university). Mileage reimbursed at approximately $0.47 per mile

To learn more about the position and current openings/discuss this opportunity: Contact CCAWNC Director Sarah Ogletree at sarah@creationcarealliance.org or by phone at 828-506-9467.

Application deadlines:
March 15, 2022 by 5pm for a summer 2022 position
June 15, 2022 by 5pm for a fall 2022 position
October 15, 2022 by 5pm for a spring 2023 position

To Apply: Please submit a resume along with your choice of either a cover letter or a video responding to the questions below to CCA Director Sarah Ogletree at sarah@creationcarealliance.org with “Creation Care Internship” in the subject line. In your cover letter or video, please answer the following questions:

1) How do you understand “creation care” and what interests you about ecological ministry?

2) Environmental issues disproportionately impact communities of color and those living in poverty. How would you bring a lens of justice into our work together?

3) What would you hope to gain from this experience?

Non-Native Invasive Plant Intern

Nonnative Invasive Plant Intern

Position Description:
MountainTrue has an in-depth Nonnative Invasive Plant (NNIP) program that involves inventorying and control treatments in targeted areas on public lands and conservation easements. These include Pisgah National Forest, DuPont State Forest, among other areas. A number of NNIP species occur in these areas, which threaten to displace native species and harm western North Carolina ecosystems. MountainTrue works annually with interns who help restore these ecosystems under the direction and training of the MountainTrue Ecologist & Public Lands Director.

The Nonnative Invasive Plant Internship work involves working alone, and periodically coordinating/supervising volunteers to perform various control treatments on populations of non-native invasive plants in forested areas where MountainTrue works. The intern will train volunteers on invasive exotic plant identification, control methods, and safety. They will work with tools and equipment supplied by MountainTrue. The intern will communicate with the MountainTrue Ecologist as needed, regarding areas treated per week, and observations on any need for retreatment. The intern may also assist the MountainTrue Outings, Education & Forest Stewardship Coordinator in performing nonnative invasive plant inventories along trails or on other projects in public land areas of work.

Additional Information:
The intern will gain the following skills and have the following potential opportunities:

Expertise in identifying, inventorying, and controlling various species of nonnative invasive plants that threaten Western North Carolina (WNC); first-hand expertise and solid field experience in controlling most of these species.
Participation in MountainTrue hikes, river paddling trips, and other events geared toward involving citizens in the natural and recreational amenities of the WNC mountain region.
Will be certified for 3 years by the N.C. Department of Agriculture in the use of herbicide application and hold a NC State Applicator’s License (which can be renewed annually).
The intern may accompany the MountainTrue Ecologist in any presentations or workshops given during the internship.
Opportunities to attend meetings involving local, state, and federal agencies, and NGOs regarding environmental policies such as land management, protection, and restoration.

Start date: Flexible: Fall/Spring: Beginning of semesters; Summer: Late May to first week in June
End date: Flexible: Fall/Spring: when required hours are met; Summer: End of July to Early August

Work schedule: Flexible: 2-3 days per week. All work will be outdoors, weather permitting. Hours per Week: Fall and spring: 10-20; Summer: 30 – 40

Location: This position will work with staff out of our Asheville office, however treatment areas could be at various sites across WNC.

Compensation: Mileage will be reimbursed at approximately $0.655 per mile

Please submit a resume and cover letter through this application form to apply for this position.