Blue Thumb Training in Ada

Blue Thumb is hosting a training for new volunteers from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm on Wednesday, February 21, 2024, and 8:30 am to 4:30 pm on Thursday, February 22, 2024. The training will be held at the Chickasaw Nation Department of Commerce Building, located at 2020 Lonnie Abbott Boulevard, Ada, Oklahoma 74820. You may register for the training here.

The first day of training will include an introduction to the Blue Thumb program and an overview of various ways you can participate as a Blue Thumb volunteer, with a focus on volunteer education opportunities. You will also get to learn about water quality, watersheds, nonpoint source pollution and other topics through a series of educational activities which you can then use to educate members of your own community. Project WET (Water Education for Teachers) activities will be demonstrated during the training. The day will also include a visit to a local creek to discuss the creek’s ecology and biology, including getting into the water and looking for bugs and fish.

The second day of training will cover all of the monthly chemical tests conducted by volunteers at their local creek or stream. We will also discuss the test results, what they mean and what they reveal about water quality and nonpoint source pollution. The day will include visiting a local creek to perform all of the required streamside testing procedures and then returning indoors to perform the chemical tests volunteers conduct every month. This monitoring training is mandatory before you can begin to monitor your creek.

All volunteers who have been trained in the past but would like a refresher course on their chemical tests are also welcome and encouraged to attend. Please email Rebecca Bond at rebecca.bond@conservation.ok.gov if you have any questions.

*Refunds will be available until February 14, 2024.

FAQs

What are my transportation/parking options for getting to and from the event?

Parking is free! There will be a short trip to a local creek, but carpooling is encouraged!

What can I bring into the event?

Please bring a lunch, shoes and clothes that can get wet and dirty, and a change of dry clothes and shoes. Waders can be borrowed if you would like to do so.

How can I contact the organizer with any questions?

Please email rebecca.bond@conservation.ok.gov or call 405-434-9918.

What’s the refund policy?

Full refunds will be offered until February 14.