Citizen Gas Well Watcher Workshop

Check out our next training event for the Marcellus Gas Campaign!

We are running a repeat of last year’s workshop for citizen volunteers to become gas well watchers. Goodness knows, there are enough of them to watch — thousands, in fact, as old as early 20th century or as new as today. This project will apply to any completed gas well — Marcellus, or not.

Working with George Monk and Molly Schaffnit, the West Virginia Chapter has developed a common-sense online experience suitable for all. The workshop is organized into three sessions, each with its target dates. Each session will include George and Molly’s YouTube videos, as well as text material and “homework.” Workshop participants will be able to view and read the material on a flexible schedule. A session will be followed up by a free conference call for participant discussion and questions-and-answers with project leaders. Conference calls are free to callers, and there will be two date/time options for the conference call for each session. We finish the workshop with a field trip to enable participants to experience the “real thing.”

Most of the training is simple and observational. The training will show what to look for, how to “see” a well site, and so on. There is one element that involves an actual scientific test, using materials similar to litmus paper. That session shows clearly how-to-do-it. And we provide the required test materials to participants at no cost.

Once volunteers register for the workshop, they will receive the link to the project website, where all necessary information will be available. In addition, participants will receive the call-in number and code for all the conference calls.

In case a person is interested but unable to access YouTube videos, we can provide alternatives suitable for slower connections. The workshop is in March — just in time for the outdoor well-watching season!

The Gas Well Workshop is open to everyone. We strongly encourage folks who expect and intend to get out in the field afterwards and apply their training to observing and reporting on gas wells.

Workshop Schedule

Session 1
Videos and materials - March 10 - 12
Conference calls - March 13, 6:00 PM, or March 14, 7:00 PM

Session 2
Videos and materials -March 17 - 19
Conference calls - March 20, 6:00 PM, or March 21, 7:00 PM

Session 3
Videos and materials - March 24 - 26
Conference calls - March 27, 6:00 PM, or March 28, 7:00 PM

Field Trip
South - March 30
North - March 31