Much of the equipment a volunteer will need is easily obtained from either hardware stores or scientific supply houses. Other equipment can be found around the house. In either case, the volunteer program should clearly specify the equipment its volunteers will need and where it should be obtained.

Listed below is some basic equipment appropriate for any volunteer field activity. Much of this equipment is optional but will enhance the volunteers' safety and effectiveness.

• Boots or waders; life jackets if you are sampling by boat

• Walking stick of known length for balance, probing, and measuring

• Bright-colored snag- and thorn- resistant clothes; long sleeves and pants are best

• Rubber gloves to guard against contamination

• Insect repellent/sunscreen

• Small first aid kit, flashlight, and extra batteries

• Whistle to summon help in emergencies

• Refreshments and drinking water

• Clipboard, preferably with plastic cover

• Several pencils

• Tape measure

• Thermometer

• Field data sheet

• Information sheet with safety instructions, site location information, and numbers to call in emergencies

• Camera and film, to document particular conditions

References and Further Reading

Ely, E. 1992. Building Credibility. The Volunteer Monitor. 4(2).

Ely, E. 1994. What Parameters Volunteer Groups Test. The Volunteer Monitor. 6(1):6.

Picotte, A. 1994. Citizen's Data Used to Set Phosphorus Standards. The Volunteer Monitor. 6(1):18.

Weber, P. and F. Dowman. 1994. The Web of Water. The Volunteer Monitor. 6(2):10.

USEPA. 1990. Volunteer Water Monitoring: A Guide for State Managers. EPA 440/490010. August. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Water, Washington, DC 20460.

USEPA. 1993. EPA Requirements for Quality Assurance Project Plans for Environmental Data Operations. EPA QA/R5. July. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Quality Assurance Management Staff, Washington, DC 20460.

USEPA. 1993. Integrating Quality Assurance into Tribal Water Programs. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Region 8, 999 18th St., Suite 500, Denver, CO 80202.

USEPA. 1996. The Volunteer Monitor's Guide To Quality Assurance Project Plans. EPA 841-B-96-003. September. Office of Wetlands, Oceans, and Watersheds, 4503F, Washington, DC 20460.