In 2005 we surveyed volunteer monitoring programs with existing online databases. From those survey results and additional research about various online databases for water quality, we have developed guidance materials for others working to create databases for their programs. Our goal is to promote efficient and successful database development in volunteer monitoring programs across the nation.

Information that may be useful to you program in this process includes:

• Access a listing of (and links to) volunteer monitoring programs with online databases.
• Results of our 2005 survey about online databases, their development, upkeep, and costs (215 KB pdf file)
• A module for our Guide For Growing Programs called: Considerations for Planning Your Program's Data Management System (6 M pdf file)

*Portable Document Format files (.pdf) can be viewed, navigated and printed from a workstation using the freely available Acrobat Reader software from Adobe Systems Inc. Versions of Acrobat Reader run on DOS, Windows, Macintosh and Unix systems. Most up-to-date browsers already include Acrobat Reader. Click here for more information or to download Acrobat Reader.