Training event scheduled in Upper Susitna Valley

MAT-SU -- If you're interested in finding out more information about the quality of water in your neighborhood or in tracking the influence development is having on the local watershed, an upcoming training course may be the place to learn more.

There are a few openings left for a training class taking place this Friday and Saturday in Talkeetna.

The Upper Susitna Soil and Water Conservation District is holding the training event, but participants from the Mat-Su core area are welcome to take part.

Wasilla Soil and Water Conservation Director Don Jean said about six more volunteers are needed in the Wasilla and Palmer area in order to ensure testing at all the sites they're hoping to study this year in the core area.

"It's a good opportunity for stay-at-home moms, home-schooling parents and seniors," Jean said.

A training session will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. Friday at Su-Valley High School near Talkeetna, in Room 115. The training will continue with primarily hands-on training from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday.

The volunteers will be testing several aspects of the water, including turbidity -- cloudiness -- of the water, along with water temperature, air temperature, water pH and other factors.

They'll also test for the presence of fecal coliform, as well as for the amount of dissolved oxygen present in the water. Even factors as basic as water temperature, Jean said, can determine whether a stream is a viable habitat for salmon and other aquatic life.

The training is free of charge, and volunteers will be asked to pick a site to monitor for a one-year period after completing their certification Saturday.

Interested people may call Rick Ernst, a watershed coordinator assistant for Wasilla Soil and Water Conservation District. He's available at 373-6495, ext. 111, or at 733-2721. Reservations for the class aren't necessary -- volunteers may simply show up at the event to take part.

Contact Rindi White at rindi.white@frontiersman.com.