Get Involved

We have many different ways for students to get involved as volunteers or interns. As a volunteer, you can get involved as much or as little as you want.  We also offer several internship and independent study opportunities.

Volunteer Opportunities
All of our activities, including cleanups, stream monitoring, and environmental education, require volunteers. You're welcome to volunteer once a week, or once a semester.

Internships
For students who are interested in really getting involved with Water Watch, we offer several internship and independent study opportunities. Each year, 80-100 students are selected from across the state to participate in the Water Watch internship program, giving students the chance the earn course credit while working to improve water quality in their communities. Water Watch interns build skills that enable them to make a real difference.

Stream Monitoring Interns walk, test, and observe local waterways to identify water quality problems and develop plans of action. Interns may also be involved in starting local stream teams made up of students and community members who will continue the stewardship of the local waterway for years to come.

Cleanup Interns organize and facilitate cleanups along local waterways. You will recruit volunteers, plan logistics, build coalitions, turn out media for the event and gather donations as well as work with other interns or volunteers in planning the cleanup. Cleanups range in scale from 10 to 1000 volunteers.

Media Internships are for students who want to learn more how to work with the media and improve their writing and design skills. Media interns write press releases, coordinate public relations, organize press conferences, and draft LTE's.

Education Interns will either participate in the planning and teaching of K-12 education curriculum or organize campus and community forums on water quality.

Community Relations Interns involve the local community in cleanups, stream monitoring, and education, building community coalitions and partnerships around local water quality.

Independent Study
A student can approach the Water Watch organizer with an idea that ties his or her particular interest with the goals of New Jersey Community Water Watch and create his or her own internship or independent study.

Requirements for Interns and Independent Studies
A student must be able to commit to 10-12 hours/week for 3 course credits. This includes one weekly meeting with the Water Watch organizer, a weekly meeting with other core members of the program, and a weekly internship class. Often, the faculty advisor also requires a journal or paper at the end of the semester.