Culvert Survey Training
The North Atlantic Aquatic Connectivity Collaborative (NAACC) is a network of individuals from universities, conservation organizations, and state and federal agencies. NAACC focuses on reducing the adverse impacts of undersized culverts (road stream crossings). Undersized culverts can be damaged during storm events. They can also create a barrier for fish and wildlife.
DER has been key players in NAACC since the partnership’s began. There are more than 30,000 culverts in Massachusetts. Volunteers survey these culverts to help find the location and extent of barriers. Surveys are conducted following the North Atlantic Aquatic Connectivity Collaborative (NAACC) protocols.
Become certified as a lead observer or coordinator
To be certified as a lead observer or coordinator, a person must satisfy three training components:
- Protocol training either in-person (3 hours) or online. Everyone must go online to pass the training questions.
- In-person field training (4-6 hours)
- Shadowing an experienced observer at 20 sites
If you are interested in starting a survey in your community and wish to receive training, please contact: Carrie Banks, DER's and NAACC Massachusetts State Coordinator, 413-579-3015 or carrie.bank@state.ma.us.
What do you need to know and bring the day of the field training?
Participants should be prepared for inclement weather and field conditions. Field Trainings will be held rain or shine though thunderstorms, high winds and/or high flow conditions may cause the training to be delayed or canceled.
Some equipment will be available to participants. However we encourage you to bring the following if you have these items available:
- Lunch, Water and Snacks
- Waders, Hip Boots or other shoes you are willing to get wet
- Sun protection, Insect repellent, Technu
- GPS Units
- Digital Cameras
- Safety Reflective Vests
- Flashlight
- First Aid Kit
- Clipboards, pencils and erasers
Additional Resources for What do you need to know and bring the day of the field training?
Resources
For additional information please explore the follow resources. Learn more about the North Atlantic Aquatic Connectivity Collaborative, a regional effort to improve aquatic connectivity across a thirteen-state region, from Maine to West Virginia. Visit the Road-Stream Crossing Database to find information on crossings that have been surveyed in your community. Explore the Stream Crossing Toolkit for more information on key steps for addressing aquatic connectivity through infrastructure improvements.