WATCH: How to Become a Schuylkill River Community Scientist

In addition to providing drinking water to nearly 2 million people, the Schuylkill River is the largest tributary of the Delaware River and supports crucial ecological and social functions for the millions of residents who live near its banks.

The Industrial Revolution and coal operations had severe and lasting negative impacts on the river’s water quality and ecological health. Over the years, thanks to the hard work of many scientists, conservationists, and concerned citizens, the Schuylkill River is making a comeback; and you can help!

Princeton Hydro is working with project partners Schuylkill River Greenways, Berks Nature, Bartram’s Garden, The Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education, and Stroud Water Research Center to conduct a water quality project on the Schuylkill River. The project, which focuses on the main stem of the river – from Berks Nature in Reading to Bartram’s Gardens in southwest Philadelphia – has four main components:

1. Gather opinion and perceptions via a community survey.
2. Perform water quality monitoring to understand the ecological status.
3. Launch a Community Scientist program for perform litter assessments.
4. Develop a community engagement plan with educational outreach.

Becoming a Community Scientist for the Schuylkill River is an easy way for everyone to get involved and is a crucial component to protecting and restoring this precious resource. The Community Scientist Visual Assessment takes only five minutes and can be conducted from a mobile device:

1. Find a spot along the Schuylkill River.
2. Open the survey using your phone’s browser: bit.ly/litterform
3. Select your location on the map.
4. Upload a photo.
5. Rate the 100 foot section of the river.

We created a video, featuring Aquatic Ecologist Michael Hartshorne, that provides a brief walkthrough of how to assess litter and fill out the monitoring form.

WATCH NOW:

Take a hike, walk, or bike ride, grab your phone, and join the endeavor to preserve the Schuylkill River! And, check out Schuylkill River Greenways to learn about more ways to get involved.

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• Environmental Action
• Environmental Education
• Stream Restoration