MDIWQC- Mount Desert Island Water Quality Coalition

Healthy Beaches
Toxic Phytoplankton Monitoring
Summer Internships
Teacher Internships
CEHL Newsletters2004/ 2005
CEHL News

Summer 2007

The Community Environmental Health Laboratory, was founded in 2000 in partnership with the MDI Biological Laboratory in Salisbury Cove. The Laboratory is used for training teachers, engaging community members in water quality monitoring projects, including Union 98 students and their teachers in on-going water quality studies, and for a variety of summer programs. CEHL is EPA approved with a Quality Assurance Project Plan (QAPP).

Healthy Beaches Program

MDIWQC monitors swim beaches for the Maine Healthy Beaches program. Students in grades 7-12 monitor swim beaches in the spring and fall. High school interns monitor swim beaches in the summer for bacterial levels. They share their results with the towns. They also participate in swim beach user education and hold a public meeting each summer on swim beach issues. For more information on MDIWQC's swim beach monitoring projects, click here.

Toxic Phytoplankton Monitoring Program

MDIWQC is a participant in the Maine Shore Stewards Toxic Phytoplankton Monitoring Program. Students in grade 5 and home-schooled students monitor local harbors for toxic phytoplankton in the fall, winter, and spring. High school interns monitor for phytoplankton in the summer.They participate in a public education program at the MDI Biological Lab by setting up microscopes at the aquarium and showing visitors what they have found at the local pier. For more info on MDIWQC's phytoplankton monitoring projects, click here.

Summer Internship Program

Student interns work with Coalition Director, Dr. Jane Disney, testing for biological indicators related to the health quality of our island waters. Internships involve collecting samples in shellfish and swim areas, phytoplankton monitoring, data analysis, writing reports, community outreach, and Bio Lab community presentations. CEHL interns and apprentices work in a professional scientific environment, where they have the opportunity to participate in discussions with other Bio Lab high school interns and scientists. This program is funded by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences.