Conversations!

Here is a fun experiment: Wear your Blue Thumb t-shirt while out running errands and see if anyone asks "What is Blue Thumb?" or "What is a riparian zone?" Either of these questions can lead you into a wonderful conversation in which you can encourage others to do their part for our one and only planet Earth.

And here is a question: would you like little cards that provide Blue Thumb information that you can give to people who ask questions? Or to friends? Or to family members? Or to the High School Science teacher? Or to the mayor of your community? Your Blue Thumb staff is always looking for ways to help YOU fight the good fight of protecting our streams and rivers. Let us know what you think.

Cheryl Cheadle
Volunteer Coordinator

To our Monthly Monitors:

Howdy Howdy from your QA Officer,

You all have been doing a pretty good job entering your monitoring data into the "App." Ever since the previous QA in the Spring, your % Oxygen Saturation data numbers have been calculated WAY better! Good on ya'!

However, I am seeing a couple of things about data entry that I'd like to point out in hopes of better data entry in the future:

• Enter the drop/wheel number. DO NOT enter the calculated value. The "App" will do the calculations for you. When I see things, it has mainly been on the Orthophosphate and Chloride tests. When you enter your data, first properly select the range of the test that you performed (High Range, Low Range, etc.), then type in the number you saw on the wheel - the number of drops you used. Based on what test range you indicated, the "App" will do that calculation for you. Take an extra second or two and after you enter a number, look just below to see the calculated value. If the calculated value is not correct, then perhaps you selected the wrong test range or you entered the calculated value instead of the drop/wheel number.
• Bacteria results. If your total coliform is over 300 colonies, please go ahead and enter 300 and also select "yes" that the count was over 300.
• Steam Stage/Elevated/No Flow. Only use this if your creek site is BOTH elevated and also no flow. If your site has flow, is above normal, but not flooding, then select "Above Normal." You can also add in the comments a short explanation/description. So, referencing the old form, we had an option of "Slightly Elevated," this will fall within the current option of "Above Normal." Thanks to photos, I have been able to correct this, otherwise I've been emailing the monitoring volunteer to make sure what Stream Stage they did have.

Overall, you all have adjusted mighty fine to the new way of data entry. I thank you for your patience with this and your good work. Also, don't forget that you can double check your data entry, after I QA it, by looking on the App Map.

There are currently 320 datasets entered into the "App" that you can view on the "App Map"!!!! You can also look and see if you have not entered some data that you thought you did.

If anyone has any questions about the above info, please let me know.

Kim Shaw
Blue Thumb QA Officer

Make the world a better place!

Friends of Blue Thumb will have a special fundraiser event on October 9 in Lawton: "Friends of Blue Thumb" Market Day! There will be vendors selling their wares and educational exhibits. How about making a road trip to Lawton and checking out the booths? Put this on your calendar NOW so that you will not miss it!

Jimmy Emmons, a local Oklahoma producer and Oklahoma Conservation mentor, has successfully converted his soil type from an Entisol to a Mollisol! This means that he has increased his soil organic matter content. Soil organic matter improves his soil's water infiltration rate, water holding capacity, and soil structure. The improvements in soil health prevents erosion and runoff, which keeps the rivers and streams surrounding his land cleaner and healthier.

Taylor Frentz
Soil Health Education Intern

Blue Thumb Volunteer Trainings

Poteau:
August 28 (Stream Ecology Education)
August 29 (Stream Monitoring)*

*Stream Ecology Education Training is a prerequisite to take this training*

Sign up here!

With June comes the first of the fish collections! This year, we are going to be focusing on fishing the Central Irregular Plains Ecoregion. If your stream is not on the list, and you would still like to help us fish, please get in touch with Kim Shaw.

These are the streams that we have scheduled for this year, and some dates that we already have scheduled:

• Cat Creek (July 26 or July 27)
• Cherry Creek
• Coal Creek: Hwy 11
• Coal Creek: Morris Park (August 10)
• Crow Creek
• Dog Creek (July 26 or July 27)
• Elm Creek: 66th
• Flatrock Creek (July 28)
• Fred Creek (August 16)
• Haikey Tributary: 101st
• Harlow Creek (July 24)
• Mingo Creek: 46th Street North
• Okmulgee Creek: 13th Street
• Okmulgee Creek: Creek Complex
• Spunky Creek (July 2)
• Trib to Coody Creek (August 4)
• Twin Hills Creek (August 25)

Fish collections are tentatively scheduled due to weather. We will fish during rain, so long as there is no thunder and/or lightening. Dates are also subject to change due to available help or other circumstances. You can see an updated list of fishing dates on our website.

• Shrews in the water? Check it out!
• Why are freshwater mussels so sticky? Well, you can read this article to find out!
• Did you know that there is a whole association for Citizen Scientists? You can become a member and learn more about it here!
• Don't forget about the "Stream Selfie" project from the Izaak Walton League, the #trashtag movement, and tick testing!

Oklahoma Conservation Commission

Oklahoma Conservation Districts

Project WET

Friends of Blue Thumb

Soil Health Program

Department of Environmental Quality

EnvironMentor

Macroinvertebrate ID Website