How to apply
Contribute to science
>27,000
water samples taken since Riverkeeper began collecting samples in 2006
196
We routinely monitor 196 locations throughout the Hudson River watershed
How it works
Volunteer responsibilities
Commit to collect samples once per month for the entire collection season.
Citizen science participation begins in April. Limited spots are available and volunteers must commit to 6 months of water quality sampling from a set location.
Provide your own transportation.
Many of our sampling locations are remote and require personal transportation to access.
Provide some of your own supplies.
We ask that you provide a hard-sided opaque cooler, loose ice to cover the samples, and gloves.
Drop off samples at a drop-off location.
Depending on the sampling location, you will either have a drop off location with another sampler, or drop off at our Kingston or partner lab.
What Riverkeeper provides
Training.
If you are a first-time sampler we will schedule an in-person training for you at our Kingston or Ossining office.
Sampling materials.
Sterile sampling bottles, gloves, site instructions, and a sampling pole. Opportunities to meet other volunteers at our annual volunteer appreciation events!
Data collection locations
Related campaigns
Water quality monitoring
Riverkeeper is the go-to source for information about the quality of the water along the Hudson River and its tributaries
Remediating and preventing contamination
Cleaning up decades of pollution and preventing more requires scientific understanding, targeted legal action, and sustained advocacy
Riverkeeper Sweep campaign
Cleaning up shorelines along the Hudson River and its tributaries
Water quality portal
Explore water quality throughout the Hudson Valley with data that Riverkeeper and our partners collect.
View the data
Other ways to volunteer
