Millennium Youth Conservationists

Geauga County has an exceptional group of youths and adults working hard to understand our environment and keep it healthy. 

Every summer since its founding in 2000, the MYC (Millennium Youth Conservationists) members have met in late May to plan their summer of stream quality monitoring of Geauga County’s three major river systems which include the Chagrin, Cuyahoga and Grand River watersheds.  We meet twice each week from June through early August and monitor eight sites.  

The MYC is a group of environmentally conscious students from local elementary, middle and high schools and their parents who are assisted by natural resource and education specialists from the Geauga Soil and Water Conservation District. 

Members of the MYC have the opportunity to interact with other individuals who share their love and interest in nature while learning about issues pertaining to water quality and nonpoint source pollution, and gaining valuable community service hours. The MYC currently monitors eight sites in Geauga County within the Chagrin, Cuyahoga and Grand River watersheds.   

We are often asked how we scientifically determine water quality. Briefly, there are three major categories of tests. They are: (1) Measuring the quantity of specific chemical pollutants such as nitrates and phosphates in ppm (parts per million), (2) Using electronic devices to accurately measure dissolved oxygen, salinity and pH (whether the water is acidic or basic) and (3) Determining overall quality of water by collecting, counting (and later releasing) small water creatures known as macroinvertebrates that often hide in fast-moving riffle areas of rivers and streams either under rocks, tightly gripping the bottom of rocks with their streamlined bodies or in the bottom sediments. The relative number of pollution intolerant and pollution tolerant species gives a quantifiable picture of the quality of the creek or river water which is then ranked as excellent, good, fair or poor according to a number formula devised by water quality experts.

Students from throughout the county will be monitoring sites again this year.  If you are interested in participating, please contact Annie Rzepka or Ron Etling at Geauga Soil and Water for more information, 440-834-1122.