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	<img alt="" src="{filedir_5}Nate 1_5.jpg" style="width: 200px; height: 150px; float: right; " /></p>
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	Au Sable&#39;s new water quality monitoring program on the Manistee River as made a Citizen Science believer out of me.A week ago, I had the privilege of training with a few fellow interns and some community members to participate in the Michigan Clean Water Corps (MiCorps) macroinvertebrate collection program. These people came for a variety of reasons, but their unifying characteristics were curiosity and a passion for a place. These folks got up early, stayed awake for training on aquatic insects, and then trouped to and through numerous streams in chilly, rainy weather.</p>
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	As a person who has worked in quite a few field settings something stuck out to me about these citizen scientists: nobody complained. In my coursework and professionally, it has been commonplace to gripe about poor weather, or bugs, or whatever was less than ideal. However even after hours of rain, an accidental swim, and fierce winds nobody voiced their displeasure. At the end of the day, we had to coax them to head in for the day.&nbsp;</p>
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	<img alt="" src="{filedir_5}Nate 2.jpg" style="width: 200px; height: 149px; float: left; " /></p>
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	<img alt="" src="{filedir_5}Nate 3.jpg" style="width: 200px; height: 149px; float: right; " />Spending a day with these citizen scientists reminded me of a Bible verse that was often quoted growing up. My parents were fond of reminding me that Philippians 2:14 said, &ldquo;Do everything without grumbling or disputing&hellip;&rdquo; at what always seemed to be the most frustrating times. This verse is such a simple reminder but so challenging to live by. It is easy to complain about the variety of challenges faced in any job, but it is vital to remember to maintain a positive attitude. The citizen scientists I had the privilege of working with were so positive which made the day positive. It could have easily been the opposite. More than anything, I am pumped for more stream sampling these fine folks on Saturday, no matter the weather!</p>
