Volunteers sought for water quality project

Summer is just around the corner, and so is the lake monitoring season. For those interested in learning about lake ecology, water quality or just seeking an opportunity to enjoy being on the water, the Cooperative Lakes Area Monitoring Project (CLAMP) is looking for volunteers. CLAMP is coordinated by Iowa Lakeside Laboratory and sponsored by the Friends of Lakeside Lab.

Free training and equipment are provided. All you need is to attend one training session, have access to a boat, and to be willing to volunteer about a half-day of your time at least three times a summer. Interested persons are asked to register for one of four free training/refresher workshops to be held at the Waitt Lab at Iowa Lakeside Laboratory from 10 a.m. to noon or 1-3 p.m. Saturday, May 26, or Tuesday, May 29.

Participating lakes include West Okoboji, East Okoboji, Big Spirit, Little Spirit, Silver Lake, Center Lake, Upper Gar, Lower Gar, and Minnewashta. Volunteers are especially needed for the smaller lakes, such as Center Lake, Silver Lake, and Little Spirit Lake.

To register for a workshop, or for more information about how to get involved in CLAMP, please contact Jane Shuttleworth at 337-3669 ext. 7, or by email at jane-shuttleworth@uiowa.edu or visit www.lakesidelab.org.