Community Science
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Contribute to PLEON by becoming a Community Scientist!
Community science is a method of scientific investigation that relies on the public to collect data. Think of it as crowdsourcing data collection. Community Scientists have helped advance science in many fields including ecology.
PLEON is recruiting Community Limnologists (scientists who study lakes) to help us monitor water quality in the Poconos. We provide the training and you provide the data! Our programs are ideal for individuals, families, and groups. Many of our programs are great for science projects as well.
Community science is a method of scientific investigation that relies on the public to collect data. Think of it as crowdsourcing data collection. Community Scientists have helped advance science in many fields including ecology.
PLEON is recruiting Community Limnologists (scientists who study lakes) to help us monitor water quality in the Poconos. We provide the training and you provide the data! Our programs are ideal for individuals, families, and groups. Many of our programs are great for science projects as well.
Become a Wallenpaupack Water Watcher!
LAKE WALLENPAUPACK
WATER QUALITY IN ACTION PROGRAM
LEAD SCIENTISTS: Theresa Black, PLEON Manager, Lacawac Sanctuary
WHY COMMUNITY SCIENCE IS IMPORTANT
PLEON’s community science program brings together lake scientists and the people who live on and enjoy our region’s lakes. By working together to monitor water quality, community members help collect valuable data while scientists provide the expertise to interpret it.
Local residents are often the first to notice changes in lake conditions, and their observations are critical for understanding how lakes respond to environmental pressures. Through this partnership, community science helps improve our understanding of lake health and supports better decisions to protect and preserve our lakes for the future.
LAKE WALLENPAUPACK
Lake Wallenpaupack is the third largest lake in Pennsylvania and one of the region’s most important destinations for tourism and recreation. The lake includes:
- 5,700 acres of open water
- 13 miles in length
- 52 miles of primarily residential shoreline
- A watershed covering 219 square miles
These data help scientists identify areas of concern, recognize pristine conditions, and track changes in lake health from year to year.
JOIN THE CREW
New volunteers are always welcome! Sampling methods are easy to learn and suitable for school-age students and adults alike. The program is a great opportunity for summer science projects, community service, or citizen science participation badges.
How to Get Involved
- Attend a training workshop at Lacawac Sanctuary. Workshops are approximately two hours long and include an introduction to lake ecology, instructions for using the Lake Observer mobile app, and hands-on training in proper sampling techniques at Lake Lacawac—a pristine glacial lake dedicated to scientific research.
- Receive your sampling kit. After completing the training, participants receive a water sampling kit. Returning volunteers who already have a kit will receive a refill package that includes clean bottles, labels, and sample bags.
- Select your sampling location. Volunteers collect samples each Saturday during June, July, August, and September. Missing an occasional sampling date is okay—however, the more data we collect, the stronger our understanding of lake conditions.
- Submit your data. Upload results through the Lake Observer app or submit them using the provided data sheets.
WE ARE RECRUITING VOLUNTEERS FOR THE 2026 PROGRAM!
REGISTER FOR A TRAINING WORKSHOP TO GET STARTED
The training workshops are conducted at Lacawac Sanctuary and are free of charge. We kindly suggest a voluntary $50 donation for new kits and a $15 donation for kit refills. Donations help offset the cost of sample analysis and can be made here (direct donation to PLEON Citizen Science) or sent to Lacawac Sanctuary.
2026 Citizen Science Training Workshops
If you are already a monitoring volunteer, feel free to attend a workshop as a refresher on sampling methodology and to connect with other volunteers.
Citizen Science Training Workshop 1Saturday, May 30th, 2026 | 5-7pm
Environmental Education Center & Heron Pond 
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Citizen Science Training Workshop 2Monday, June 1st, 2026 | 6-8pm
Environmental Education Center & Heron Pond 
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Upcoming Citizen Science Presentations
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Lake Wallenpaupack Water Quality in Action Program, an update.Wednesday, May 20th, 2026 | 6-7pm
Zoom Presentation Learn about the Lake Wallenpaupack Citizen Science Program, the data collected over the past seven years, what we have learned, and how you can be involved.
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WALLENPAUPACK CITIZEN SCIENCE REPORTS
MATERIALS FOR VOLUNTEERS
If you have taken a training workshop but have more questions on data entry, Lake Observer, or sampling...
WORKSHOP SLIDES
LAKE OBSERVER GUIDE
ICE COVER RECORDING INSTRUCTIONS
If you have taken a training workshop but have more questions on data entry, Lake Observer, or sampling...
WORKSHOP SLIDES
LAKE OBSERVER GUIDE
ICE COVER RECORDING INSTRUCTIONS
2024 PLEON Citizen Science Newsletters
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2025 Major Sponsor
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The PLEON 2021 Water Quality in Action Program was financed in part by a grant from the Community Conservation Partnerships Program Environmental Stewardship Fund under the administration of the Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, Bureau of Recreation and Conservation administered through the Pennsylvania Environmental Council’s Pocono Forests and Waters Conservation Landscape Mini Grant Program.
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Additional funding was provided by the Robert H. Spitz Foundation administered by the Scranton Area Foundation.
AQUATIC PLANT SURVEY
LEAD SCIENTIST: Dr. Elizabeth Carroll, Holy Family University
Aquatic plants are vital components of lake ecosystems. However, several species of aquatic plants are not native to the Pocono region and can invade and take over a lake. Once established, these invasive species can be difficult and costly to remove. Help us understand the distribution of native and invasive aquatic plants in Pocono lakes by participating in the PLEON Aquatic Plant Survey. These data can help direct resources and funding to combat the spread of invasives and protect native plant communities.
How to Join:
LEAD SCIENTIST: Dr. Elizabeth Carroll, Holy Family University
Aquatic plants are vital components of lake ecosystems. However, several species of aquatic plants are not native to the Pocono region and can invade and take over a lake. Once established, these invasive species can be difficult and costly to remove. Help us understand the distribution of native and invasive aquatic plants in Pocono lakes by participating in the PLEON Aquatic Plant Survey. These data can help direct resources and funding to combat the spread of invasives and protect native plant communities.
How to Join:
