What is WQVC?

Join the Conservancy to sample streams in southern Lancaster County at our lab at Climbers Run Nature Center in Pequea, PA. The Water Quality Volunteer Coalition (WQVC) program is a partnership program with the Lancaster County Conservation District, and other community partners. Volunteers conduct monthly testing on streams like Climbers Run, Kellys Run, Pequea Creek, Fishing Creek, Steinman Run, Tucquan, and Trout Run.

Volunteers learn how to monitor the following to assess stream health:

• chemical (nitrates, pH, oxygen, etc.)
• physical (stream velocity, habitat assessment, etc.)
• biological (macroinvertebrates like stoneflies and mayflies)

Join Us

Becoming a WQVC volunteer is a long term commitment and requires a monthly commitment of at least 3 hours per month. Stream testing is ideal for middle schoolers through adults, however all participants under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian at all times while volunteering. No prior knowledge or skills are required and all are welcome to come learn about how water quality and the health of our watershed affects each of us in the county and downstream in the Chesapeake Bay.

If you would like to join the WQVC or participate in a stream testing please complete the following form.

We are temporarily pausing applications to join the Water Quality Volunteer Coalition while we renovate Climbers Run Nature Center (and the WQVC lab and training facility). Please visit the Lancaster County Conservation District’s webpage for other opportunities to join WQVC in the meantime.