CMC 2024 Highlights
Strengthening Water Monitoring: CMC’s 2024 Highlights
The Chesapeake Monitoring Cooperative (CMC) had an exciting and impactful 2024, marked by significant advancements in community-driven water monitoring, data accessibility, and regional collaboration. Through continued strategic partnerships and outreach efforts, the CMC empowers volunteer monitors and enhances the understanding of water quality across the Chesapeake Bay watershed.
A major milestone of the year was the addition of two new community success stories to the interactive CMC Case Studies map. These stories highlighted efforts to monitor water safety in communities affected by bacterial contamination, underscoring the critical role of volunteer monitoring in addressing public health concerns and informing local decision-making. Additionally, the CMC strengthened its partnership with Maryland’s Department of the Environment (MDE) to explore pathways for integrating more volunteer-collected bacteria data, ensuring that volunteer efforts contribute to water quality management.
To further support data collection and analysis, the CMC managed the collection and processing of Tier II benthic macroinvertebrate samples. These efforts help fill data gaps in the Chesapeake basin-wide index of biotic integrity (Chessie-BIBI). This report provides a comprehensive picture of stream health across the watershed, strengthening regional water quality assessments.
Additionally, the CMC beta tested and launched an improved homepage for the CMC Data Explorer. With enhanced filtering and graphing functionality, the updated platform allows volunteers and partners to more easily engage with their own data and better inform local conservation efforts.
Outreach and collaboration remained key priorities for the CMC in 2024. The organization was well-represented at several major conferences and meetings, including the Chesapeake Watershed Forum, Maryland Water Monitoring Council’s Conference, and the Chesapeake Bay Program’s Scientific, Technical Assessment and Reporting (STAR) workgroup. These events provided invaluable opportunities to connect with partner monitoring groups and individuals.
Through these accomplishments listed here as well as many others, the CMC has continued to elevate the role of volunteer monitoring in the Chesapeake Bay. With expanding partnerships, innovative tools, and increased engagement, 2024 was a year of growth and success, setting the stage for even greater achievements in the years to come.