Calling all Raritan River birders, paddlers, fisherfolk and those who love the Raritan River!

NEEDED!! Volunteers available to join us Thursday mornings (7-11am) in Summer 2026 to collect water samples from the Raritan River to test for presence of fecal contamination and disease-causing bacteria

WHAT: In-person training Workshop for Water Quality Sampling and Bacteria Monitoring, conducted by the LRWP and the Interstate Environmental Commission

WHERE: EARTH Center of Middlesex County, 42 Riva Avenue / North Brunswick, NJ (continue past the gate/sign labeled “authorized vehicles only” to the EARTH Center offices)

WHY: Every Thursday from May through the end of September the Lower Raritan Watershed Partnership and Rutgers Extension / Middlesex County EARTH Center take water samples from public access (non-bathing, fishing, and recreational) sites along our Raritan River to document bacterial contamination. New for 2026 we are augmenting our research with intermittent additional weekly sampling at four upstream sites – described on our blog here.

This training is required for all pathogens monitor volunteers. It is provided by the Environmental Protection Agency, and ensures that our volunteers maintain quality assurance protocols as they help us with this important work!

Having completed this training volunteers will be able to sign-up to help with sample collection, sample preparation and delivery, analysis of findings and science communication. Please note: volunteers are NOT committing to weekly volunteering, however this training is required for any field work for this project.

Space is limited and registration required.