Community Monitoring

Community based monitoring is valued by the South Australian Murray-Darling Basin (SA MDB) Natural Resources Management (NRM) Board as this activity collects valuable information about the health of  local sites and environments. This activity has numerous benefits for a range of stakeholders at a variety of levels, such as:

• Informing decision making processes at the local and regional level;
• Adding local interpretation to regional reporting; and
• Building community awareness of NRM issues.

It was identified that with additional support and appropriate guidelines for data collection, the efforts of community base monitoring groups can translate into clear benefits for all, influencing investment and management decisions across the region. This led to a staged project focusing on community base monitoring:

The study consulted representatives from community based monitoring groups across the SAMDBNRM region about the motivation, level of participation, benefits and obstacles to participating in community based monitoring. The main motivations for participation were reported as the desire to contribute to maintaining the health of the environment, and personal benefits from increasing knowledge and understanding of natural resources.  Participants also find satisfaction in seeing the data they collect put to use in local and regional planning.

The investment of effort in monitoring by community-based groups is substantial, with activities covering wetland health, surface water quality, groundwater quantity and quality, trends in the condition of aquatic and terrestrial biodiversity and land condition. Much of the effort is concentrated along the Murray River and in the regions many national parks.

While community groups had confidence that their monitoring programs were contributing to local planning and action, there was generally lower confidence that they were having an impact on regional decision-making.  Community groups benefit from the support of project officers and technical assistance through the SAMDB NRM Board. As a result of the study, a framework for community based monitoring has been to ensure that the valuable information collected by community groups can be more effectively used at all levels of decision making.

Review of Community Based NRM Monitoring SAMDB (1.4mb)

The Framework has been developed for groups as a guide on how to implement community based monitoring so that the greatest benefits are achieved for the participants, the regional NRM board and the wider community.  It is also designed to complement the SA MDB Monitoring and Evaluation Framework (MERF) which reports progress towards Resource Condition Targets (RCTs).

• How community monitoring can be used in reporting against the MERF
• How to assess the quality of community-based data
• How to build the community’s capacity to gather this information
• The tools needed to transfer this knowledge
• Roles and responsibilities, and
• Planning for community groups.

Detailed surveys (questionnaires/phone interviews) were a key part of the data collection for this framework, with more than 60 community members and stakeholders surveyed.

• Community monitoring can provide data relevant to regional reporting processes on vegetation condition and extent; wetland condition, extent and connectivity; and fish populations;
• Community monitoring programs play an important role in building community awareness and engagement in natural resource management;
• Easier access to other supporting data sources is needed by the community;
• There is a need for community monitoring data to be stored and accessed through the Resource Information Centre;
• Adequate project officer support including technical advice, data analysis and interpretation is essential for community groups.

The Implementation project stage targeted 4 monitoring groups as case studies – together the 4 monitoring groups collect data on a range of parameters to expand on the water quality focused Community Monitoring Framework. During consultation with the groups, gaps in tools required to meet their needs were identified and developed to form the Community Monitoring Framework Toolkit.

The Toolkit is based on the stages of a project and includes background, an introduction and NRM overview:

Tool Kit Background	Tool Kit Introduction	Natural Resources Management Background	Getting Started
Planning and Coordination	Evaluation and Reflection	Communication	Data Collection
Data Management	Data Analysis and Interpretation	Links

Toolkit Background

For long-term monitoring of natural resource change, data and information must be comparable over time and by location. It is recommended that groups involved in monitoring activities should plan and coordinate their efforts through the use of tools in evaluation and reflection, communication, quality data collection, management and analysis. This ensures that information gathered at the local scale in the South Australia Murray-Darling Basin Natural Resources Management Board is as useful as possible at the local and regional scale.

The Community Monitoring Framework Tool Kit combines practical “hands-on” and information resources to help community groups to get started with planning and to develop good practice in data collection, management, analysis and progress review. This is a Tool Kit for new and established community monitoring groups.

Where to Find It, Updates and Contacts

Where to Find the Tool Kit

• Online: The Tool Kit can be viewed on or downloaded from the South Australian Murray-Darling Basin Natural Resources Management (SA MDB NRM) Board website (www.samdbnrm.sa.gov.au).
• Print Copies: A limited number of print copies are being distributed to a range of project officers working with community groups within the SA MDB NRM region and NRM Centres where it will be available for use. The Tool Kit has been designed so individual sections or sub-sections can be easily photocopied. 

Contact the Natural Resources Centre near you to discuss availability of the Tool Kit.

Contacts:

For further information about this Community Monitoring Framework Tool Kit you can contact the following:

Greg Lundstrom

Telephone: (08) 8532 1432

Email: greg.lundstrom@samdbnrm.sa.gov.au

Toolkit Introduction

This section introduces the Tool Kit with a background, its purpose and potential users.

Background:

In 2005 the Community Monitoring Framework was prepared for the SA MDB NRM region.  This was the first stage towards developing generic tools for adaption and use by individual community groups aiming to contribute to greater knowledge and understanding of the changes in condition of natural resources in the region.

During the development of the Framework a review was conducted of community based monitoring in the SA MDB.  This review found that monitoring contributes to awareness about the condition of the resource and impacts on resource condition.  This review also highlighted that successful monitoring occurs when the monitoring process is adequately supported with both technical and planning skills and skill development and coordination.

In 2006 the second stage was initiated to develop further tools for broader community based monitoring activities.  The 'Implementation' phase of the Framework involved working with four (4) monitoring groups (as case studies) to identify group monitoring needs that require attention - this has led to the development , documentation and incorporation of the Framework tools and findings from consulting with the case study groups to form the Community Monitoring Framework Tool Kit.

Purpose:

The purpose of the Community Monitoring Framework Tool Kit is to support community monitoring groups and project officers. Monitoring activities are most effective when they are clearly connected to management decisions in an adaptive management framework. An effective monitoring program incorporates all stages of the community based monitoring cycle from planning the monitoring, collecting, analysing and interpreting the data, communicating and reviewing results and determining the next phase of monitoring from this new knowledge.

The Tool Kit has a broad focus, providing information, templates and examples for all stages of the community based monitoring cycle. 

This Tool Kit will be useful for community groups undertaking monitoring activities, those starting up and established, as well as for those supporting or working with community monitoring groups.

Who is the Tool Kit for:

The Community Monitoring Framework Tool Kit seeks to ensure a range of information is freely available to anyone who needs it, including:

• Anyone wishing to start a community monitoring group;
• Anyone participating in an established community monitoring group;
• Project Officers, Implementation Officers and others supporting these groups;
• Users of data/information collected by community monitoring groups using the Community Monitoring Framework Tool Kit to overview the process the community group has followed.

Natural Resources Management

Natural Resource Management (NRM) is a framework to assist us in looking after the environment so that there is a balance between caring for our land, water, plants and animals and sustainable production. NRM includes many activities, such as controlling weeds and animal pests, soil conservation, salinity control, conserving biodiversity, farming to land capability and the efficient management of water resources.

SA ‘s Natural Resources Management Act was introduced in 2004 to provide a more integrated and sustainable structure for managing our States natural assets via 8 regional NRM Boards. The SA Murray-Darling Basin (SA MDB) is one of these regions (see map). The SA MDB Regional Plan addresses threats to natural resources by conserving and enhancing the regions unique assets.

To enable the evaluation of the condition and progress towards maintaining or improving the various natural resources of the region Resource Condition Targets (RCTs) have been developed. The RCTs are specific and long term, covering a broad range of NRM values and issues. In addition, medium term Management Action Targets (MATs) have been developed and these targets are ‘stepping stones’ towards long term RCTs.

In order to evaluate the condition of natural resources and progress towards RCTs and MATs, data and information is required to report against these targets – community monitoring groups are a source of data and information that may be used by the SA MDB NRM Board to evaluate the condition of natural resources or progress towards RCTs and MATs.

So if you are starting a community monitoring group or part of an established community group, please remember there is a good chance that others are interested in the data and/or information you are collecting. If you would like to see if your data and/or information is useful to the SA MDB NRM Board, please contact:

Telephone: (08) 8463 6959

Getting Started

What is Monitoring?

Monitoring is the regular observation, measurement and evaluation of natural resources including, organisms and the environment that they live in. It is possible to monitor one specific parameter or a range of parameters to detect change over time – ongoing monitoring is often necessary as many natural resources respond to changing conditions over time.

Community Monitoring in the SA MDB NRM Region

Community monitoring in the SA MDB NRM region is substantial and covers monitoring of wetlands, surface water quality, groundwater, aquatic and terrestrial biodiversity, and land condition.

Community Monitoring in Action - Wetlands Baseline Survey 2004

Community groups have been the force behind wetland rehabilitation projects along the River Murray in SA. Many community groups have received funds from the Australian Government for on-ground works in wetlands, including constructing flow control structures, fencing and the upgrade of culverts. Groups have been responsible for monitoring changes in wetlands following the implementation on-ground works.

The Wetlands Baseline Survey provided baseline data against which future monitoring results can be compared, as well as educating new and existing community groups in wetland monitoring techniques. Data was collected at different times in 2004, 2005 and 2006 for a range of biological, chemical and physical parameters, including frogs, fish, birds, macroinvertebrates, vegetation, surface water, groundwater and site details.

The data collected has been used in the development of management plans for the wetlands. These plans guide the management and monitoring requirements that are necessary to maintain the health of these wetlands. The plans will also ensure that the wetlands have an adequate supply of water allocated to them.

If you would like to take action and join a community monitoring group, contact your Local NRM Officer for more information.

Tips for Starting a Community Monitoring Group

A particular issue in the community can often spark a new project - an individual or group learn that something they want/need to know is not available or discovers that resources are available that could be used by a community group.

The first step is to Do Some Research:

• Contact SA MDB NRM Board staff to determine if a similar community project is underway. It is possible that someone is doing something about your issue and you can link with then rather than set up another community monitoring group;
• Is your issue identified in other planning exercises, such as SA MDB NRM Board Regional Plan, Local Action Plan, Land and Water Management Plan, Wetland Management Plan, Water Allocation Plan
• Look at NRM reports, for example from the SA MDB NRM region – do they support the need for monitoring data about your issue

Next Do Some Planning:

If it appears there's good reason to set up a new community monitoring group to, now is the time to do some planning. Here are some questions to help you think about planning:

• Why you want to monitor the issue
• Where you plan to undertake the monitoring
• When you are going to do the monitoring
• Which method will you use to monitor
• Who will be affected, who will be involved, who needs to know about the project and your results
• What data quality do you want
• How will the data collected be stored and managed
• How will the collected data be analysed
• How will you communicate your results to users
• How do you intend to make this happen, for example funding sources, technical support, training

Once you have considered these questions and you want to take action – it is time to do some more Planning and Coordination.

Tips for Established Community Monitoring Groups

Your group may already be taking action and monitoring. Here are some tips to enhance the value of your community monitoring group. Remember enhancing the value of your community monitoring group can lead to future support, for example funding, technical support, training.

Are you tackling an NRM issue identified in other planning exercises, such as SA MDB NRM Board Regional Plan, Local Action Plan, Land and Water Management Plan, Wetland Management Plan, Water Allocation Plan ? If so, you have identified potential users of your monitoring data/information - is this potential user in your Communication Plan ? (175kb)

Do broader NRM condition or performance reports, for example from the SA MDB NRM region, support the need for monitoring data about your issue ? If so, you have identified potential users of your monitoring data/information - is this potential user in your Communication Plan ? (175kb)

Has your monitoring group undertaken planning exercises ? If not, start Planning and Coordination to ensure your monitoring effort is effective.

If you have a monitoring plan, have you reviewed your plan and evaluated or reflected on you monitoring project to ensure it is effective and capturing the learnings of your group? If you have not, checkout the Evaluation and Refection section which includes prepared evaluation and reflection questions to assist you with the evaluation and reflection process. This includes examples of approaches you might use to answer these questions. The example presented also contains mock questions and answers. The example can be incorporated into your monitoring plan.

Do you review the progress of your monitoring plan or project ? If so, overview the Evaluation and Refection section for new or different questions to assist enhancing the effectiveness of your project.

Remember to inform people of your learnings from evaluation and reflection – the SA MDB NRM Board are interested in your learnings, so make sure this is included in your Communication Plan (175kb).

Planning and Coordination

• Be less likely to go forward together as one organisation, with one vision

• Be unclear about whether or not you are achieving your objective

• Seem less credible to others

• Run into difficulties that could have been avoided.

 Data Collection - Quality Assurance / Quality Control

When embarking on a monitoring program, it is important to identify who is going to use the data and for what purpose. Your choices of methods for monitoring should be guided by the purpose of your monitoring program and the quality of data you need. The end use of the data will determine what level of quality assurance and quality control measures should be taken to ensure data can be realiably used for its proposed purpose.

Quality Assurance / Quality Control (QA/QC)

For some monitoring groups, the main objective is education for the local community or school, where the focus is on drawing awareness to an issue rather than producing high quality data. However, groups that collect data to inform local management decisions or as part of an integrated monitoring program with the local government, research organizations, regional bodies and state agencies must take measures to ensure the data are credible and reliable.

When appropriate quality assurance and quality control measures are implemented, you can be confident that management decisions are based on sound and reliable data.

• Monitoring Quality Assurance and Quality Control (151kb)
• Quality Control Sampling (48kb)

A Monitoring Plan is important for your project plan and a quality assurance plan and quality control plan is important for your Monitoring Plan. A set of questions have been prepared to guide you in Compiling a QA/QC Plan (76kb).

A set of example Proformas (158kb) for areas of QA/QC common to many monitoring programs have been prepared for you to work from.

To help you produce data of known quality and enhance the credibility of you group in reporting monitoring results, QA/ QC checklists have been developed for a range of monitoring activities. These checklists cover items for the overall management system of your monitoring project – it is understood that there is an extensive range of items, which can be integrated over time into you project to make it manageable.

• QA/QC Checklist - Birds (59kb)
• QA/QC Checklist - Fish using nets (59kb)
• QA/QC Checklist - Frogs (59kb)
• QA/QC Checklist - Groundwater (59kb)
• QA/QC Checklist - Macro Invertebrate (60kb)
• QA/QC Checklist - Small reptile and mammal (58kb)
• QA/QC Checklist - Surface Water (59kb)
• QA/QC Checklist - Tortoise (58kb)
• QA/QC Checklist - Vegetation using line transects (59kb)
• QA/QC Checklist - Vegetation using photopoints (58kb)
• QA/QC Checklist - Vegetation using weed mapping (59kb)

Data Management

This section covers general information about how to organise and keep track of the data you collect.

It is important that you set up a data management program before you actually start your monitoring. By ensuring your data management system is in order in advance you can eliminate some potential problems down the track:

• You will eliminate/minimize errors in recording and transferring data.
• You will prevent data loss
• You can trace information back to the original data sheets if there are problems or questions.
• Data will be easily accessible and easy to use once you’ve stored it.
• You can format it in a way that will be useful and acceptable to other users.

A set of Guidelines for Data Management (115kb) have been prepared.

Data Analysis and Interpretation

The key question for monitoring an environmental variable (or set of variables) is “Has a change occurred and is the change important”. To answer this question we need to be able to decide whether a measurement we observe at a given time is unusual, given what we would expect from our observations of the naturally variable system up until that time.

Traditional methods of determining if a change in an environmental parameter is significant or ‘meaningful’ rely on comparing data on changes after a defined impact or intervention with data collected before the impact and with data from control sites.

Many of the monitoring programs undertaken by community groups are assessing change in systems where little background (baseline) information may be available, where the size of changes which are meaningful are not well described, and where the type and rigor of monitoring methods may result in some measurement error indistinguishable from the natural variability between samples in time and space.

A good monitoring program will allow managers to confidently detect an important change but also guard against acting on changes which are detected but which are not important or are due to error in measurement or ordinary variation in the system. It would be a waste of resources to respond to a measured change if the change is not real or significant or is really an indication that some error has been made in measurement, data management or analysis. To guard against these risks it is useful to examine monitoring data with reference to the size of important expected changes and an awareness of potential errors creeping into the data collection or management program.

Control charts are one way of displaying the data from a monitoring program with a basic ability to visually detect a statistically significant change if one occurs. Control Charts (166kb) are a way of simply plotting data from different monitoring events (different time).

An example from Calperum and Taylorville Stations (166kb) combines data analysis and interpretation, QA/QC and considerations when working with volunteers.

Links

Further information can be found at:

Australia Government Natural Resources Management Monitoring and Evaluation

Department of the Environment and Water Resources Monitoring and Evaluation Resources

Department of Water, Land and Biodiversity Conservation NRM Monitoring and Evaluation

National Land and Water Resource Audit National Monitoring and Evaluation Framework

Natural Resources and Water Land Managers Monitoring Guide

Evaluation and Reflection

A plan is only useful if it works in practice. Evaluation and reflection will help you assess this and gives you information to improve monitoring plan or project in the future.

The evaluation and reflection process is not meant to encourage excessive introspection, but focuses on highlighting positive outcomes and successes, identifying problems and weaknesses, and defining future actions to overcome any problems or obstacles. The figure below highlights that evaluation and reflection can form part of continuous improvement and learning for all stages of the project management cycle.

Where evaluation and reflection fits into the project management cycle

The Monitoring Plan

A Monitoring Plan should outline the why, what, when, who and how of your monitoring activities. The preparation of a plan will serve as a useful exercise to clarify the intent of the monitoring and can be used as a resource for the community group to evaluate their monitoring effort. A Monitoring Plan example (169kb) and Monitoring Plan template (284kb) has been developed to assist your group.

The Plan requires details about the methodology used when collecting the data. If you are unsure of which methodology to use, checkout this list of Monitoring Methods and Further Reading (84kb) for reference.

If you are already using a method ensure it is documented and note where it can be located.

Introduction to Evaluation and Reflection

Once a plan has been developed, a common mistake made by groups is not to review their progress and update their plan. To be of any use, a plan needs to be a living document that can be changed as your community monitoring group learns about the natural resource and what monitoring results mean. Evaluating and reflecting on your monitoring plan or project will ensure your monitoring effort is effective and identify required improvements. Early on is when the group needs to start thinking about Evaluation and Reflection.

Tips for Recruitment and Retaining Volunteers

Members of your community monitoring group may come and go – here are a few Recruitment Tips (125kb).

This section covers planning and coordination for community monitoring groups. It introduces the monitoring plan, including a monitoring plan template and coordination exercises, such as tips for recruiting and retaining volunteers.

Your community monitoring group needs a Monitoring Plan, primarily for itself but also for users of data/information collected by your group. Without a Monitoring Plan your group may: