Scholarworks

ScholarWorks is an open access repository for the capture of the intellectual work of Montana State University (MSU) in support of its teaching, research and service missions. MSU ScholarWorks is a central point of discovery for accessing, collecting, sharing, preserving, and distributing knowledge to the Montana State University community and the world.

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Scholarship & Research

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Boosting Resilience. Exploring a Research Collaborative's Role in Natural Hazard Adaptation
(University of Colorado Boulder, 2023) Boone, Madison; Church, Sarah P.
Collaborative approaches are used to address complex natural hazards like wildfire, drought, and flooding. Despite their prevalence, little is known about the long-term outcomes of collaborative groups and there is a need to understand how collaborative groups build adaptive capacity and resilience to natural hazards. This study sought to fill such gaps in understanding using a qualitative case study of a past participatory research project in central Montana, the Judith River Watershed Nitrogen Project. We facilitated a ripple effects mapping (REM) workshop with eleven participants of the original Judith River Watershed Nitrogen Project to understand (a) the outcomes that emerged from participating in the project, (b) how the project’s structure contributed to outcomes, and (b) how participation in the project supported adaptive capacity and community resilience in the watershed. We found that by participating in the Judith River Watershed Nitrogen Project, individuals built awareness and trust and implemented alternative farm management practices. We also found that the project’s structure, goals, and research team helped support these outcomes. Overall, findings indicate that collaborative research projects like the Judith River Watershed Nitrogen Project support outcomes that may contribute to a group’s adaptive capacity to respond to future natural resource challenges and hazards. Though more work is needed to fully explore the linkages between the project’s outcomes and community resilience, Federal Emergency Management Region 8 emergency managers can implement the collaborative processes demonstrated in the Judith Nitrogen Project to build greater awareness and trust in their natural hazard work, as well as look to draw on the networks formed through such participatory research projects when operating in rural contexts.
Volunteer Water Monitoring Survey: 2024 Volunteer Statewide Report
(Montana State University, 2025-05) Warrenfeltz, Bridget; Church, Sarah P.; Sigler, W. Adam
Volunteer monitoring is widely recognized as a tool for engaging the public in science and enhancing stewardship outcomes across resource types and scientific disciplines. Volunteer water monitoring programs (VWMP) have been active in Montana for at least 20 years, and there are more than 30 active programs across the state. The State of Montana relies on volunteer collected water quality data for many aspects of water management. Because of this reliance, VWMP managers need to understand what motivates their volunteers to participate in VWMPs and the efficacy of their monitoring trainings. Information on volunteers has traditionally been collected through exit surveys. Our team partnered with VWMPs in Montana to develop a standardized statewide online volunteer monitor survey, designed to be administered by Montana VWMPs repeatedly over time. Our initial survey, which was developed and implemented in 2021, includes questions to understand the following: motivations for volunteering; program-specific training efficacy; learning outcomes; general perceptions of watershed knowledge; whether and with whom respondents talk with about volunteering; and trust in scientists. The survey was re-administered in 2022 and 2024 using the same questions. This report summarizes the findings of the 2024 survey.
Volunteer Water Monitoring Survey 2024 Northwest Montana Lakes Network Report
(Montana State University, 2025-05) Warrenfeltz, Bridget; Church, Sarah P.; Sigler, W. Adam
Volunteer monitoring is widely recognized as a tool for engaging the public in science and enhancing stewardship outcomes across resource types and scientific disciplines. Volunteer water monitoring programs (VWMP) have been active in Montana for at least 20 years, and there are more than 30 active programs across the state. The State of Montana relies on volunteer collected water quality data for many aspects of water management. Because of this reliance, VWMP managers need to understand what motivates their volunteers to participate in VWMPs and the efficacy of their monitoring trainings. Information on volunteers has traditionally been collected through exit surveys. Our team partnered with VWMPs in Montana to develop a standardized statewide online volunteer monitor survey, designed to be administered by Montana VWMPs repeatedly over time. Our initial survey, which was developed and implemented in 2021, includes questions to understand the following: motivations for volunteering; program-specific training efficacy; learning outcomes; general perceptions of watershed knowledge; whether and with whom respondents talk with about volunteering; and trust in scientists. The survey was re-administered in 2022 and 2024 using the same questions. This report summarizes the findings of the 2024 survey.
Volunteer Water Monitoring Survey 2024 Missoula Valley Water Quality District Report
(Montana State University, 2025-05) Warrenfeltz, Bridget; Church, Sara P.; Sigler, W. Adam
Volunteer monitoring is widely recognized as a tool for engaging the public in science and enhancing stewardship outcomes across resource types and scientific disciplines. Volunteer water monitoring programs (VWMP) have been active in Montana for at least 20 years, and there are more than 30 active programs across the state. The State of Montana relies on volunteer collected water quality data for many aspects of water management. Because of this reliance, VWMP managers need to understand what motivates their volunteers to participate in VWMPs and the efficacy of their monitoring trainings. Information on volunteers has traditionally been collected through exit surveys. Our team partnered with VWMPs in Montana to develop a standardized statewide online volunteer monitor survey, designed to be administered by Montana VWMPs repeatedly over time. Our initial survey, which was developed and implemented in 2021, includes questions to understand the following: motivations for volunteering; program-specific training efficacy; learning outcomes; general perceptions of watershed knowledge; whether and with whom respondents talk with about volunteering; and trust in scientists. The survey was re-administered in 2022 and 2024 using the same questions. This report summarizes the findings of the 2024 survey.
Volunteer Water Monitoring Survey: 2024 Madison Stream Team Report
(Montana State University, 2025-05) Warrenfelts, Bridget; Church, Sarah P.; Sigler, W. Adam
Volunteer monitoring is widely recognized as a tool for engaging the public in science and enhancing stewardship outcomes across resource types and scientific disciplines. Volunteer water monitoring programs (VWMP) have been active in Montana for at least 20 years, and there are more than 30 active programs across the state. The State of Montana relies on volunteer collected water quality data for many aspects of water management. Because of this reliance, VWMP managers need to understand what motivates their volunteers to participate in VWMPs and the efficacy of their monitoring trainings. Information on volunteers has traditionally been collected through exit surveys. Our team partnered with VWMPs in Montana to develop a standardized statewide online volunteer monitor survey, designed to be administered by Montana VWMPs repeatedly over time. Our initial survey, which was developed and implemented in 2021, includes questions to understand the following: motivations for volunteering; programspecific training efficacy; learning outcomes; general perceptions of watershed knowledge; whether and with whom respondents talk with about volunteering; and trust in scientists. The survey was re-administered in 2022 and 2024 using the same questions. This report summarizes the findings of the 2024 survey.