The volunteer program is flexible, offering different levels of involvement and commitment that build on each other. Volunteers are expected to share the knowledge they gain with their community, periodically monitor a stream and submit collected data in a timely manner. Volunteers begin by mapping their watershed, submitting a visual survey of their selected sites and submitting macro invertebrate data. With further training volunteers can learn to collect for chemical and microbiological parameters. Water quality volunteers often work in conjunction with Missouri Stream Teams. Volunteer data will be used to inform and educate Missouri citizens, establish baseline data on rarely sampled streams, locate emerging water quality problems and identify long term trends in stream conditions. Highly trained volunteers will collect data that may supplement agency-collected data.