Community science

How to apply

We are currently seeking water quality volunteers for 2025. Limited spots are available.

Contribute to science

Riverkeeper advises, organizes, and assists community scientists to collect water quality data throughout the Hudson River watershed. To understand whether the water is safe for swimming, drinking, and aquatic life, we measure levels of enterococcus, which is a fecal indicator bacteria, and a variety of other parameters. Riverkeeper has relied heavily on these monitoring data in our state and local advocacy for clean water policies and funding.

>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

Riverkeeper started sampling the main stem of the Hudson River in 2006 and, over the years, we found that many of the creeks and streams that flow into the Hudson had worse water quality than the Hudson itself. This guided our program upstream, and we followed the creeks up their courses selecting sampling locations along the way. To reach these locations we have relied on hundreds of volunteers over the years who have gone out to collect samples along these creeks and streams.

Our sampling sites typically include public access locations, wastewater outfalls, or other potential pollution source discharge locations. From May to October, once a month, we sample the entirety of a creek or river in a single day. We do this by training and coordinating volunteers, providing sampling supplies, and then analyzing the samples at one of our labs or partner labs.

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

Browse the map to see which locations are open to volunteers.

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

From hands-on cleanup to community outreach, Riverkeeper volunteers play a vital role in protecting the local environment.

Learn more about volunteering

Work with us

Want to do even more? Contribute your skills to meaningful environmental initiatives by joining Riverkeeper’s dynamic team dedicated to healing the Hudson and protecting sources of drinking water for millions of New York residents.

View job opportunities