61 #WATERHEROES OCEAN & COASTAL WATERS nature.org Data from the sondes will be collected from seven stations over the course of two years to help scientists gain a holistic picture of current water conditions in the basin. Additionally, YSI is donating the training, maintenance and servicing of the equipment, joining as a critical member of the Atchafalaya partnership. “Nobody in this part of the world has embarked on restoration efforts like these,” Joe said. “Every time we collect data, it’s new and exciting, because there is little else to compare it to.” The sondes take measurements every hour and store the data for future retrieval. Every few months, Joe and his team wade into the murky swamp water to gather the recorded data, clean the equipment, and recalibrate the sensors. “Purchasing the equipment is one thing, but keeping it up and running is another,” Joe explained. “Having help with hands- on training and maintenance has been incredibly valuable. They walked me through the calibration process to make sure everything was done correctly. They even shared tips and tricks for being more economical in our maintenance, saving time and money.” The payoff of these efforts is clear, as the sondes have already recorded important data that will help scientists better understand water flows in the Great Swamp Forest. “We had significant rainfall in the basin last August and the sondes were able to capture those data,” Joe said. “That was the most exciting thing: as soon as we installed the sondes, water levels in the basin started to fall, then all of a sudden we saw this large increase and we were able to record all of it.” Scientists will compare the data gathered throughout the next two year to additional data captured once restoration work is complete. Together, this information will create a map for understanding and repairing the hydrology of the Bayou Sorrel region—and hopefully far beyond. “Ten years from now I hope people look back on our early restoration efforts and see it as the first step toward improving the ecological functioning of the basin,” Joe said. “We want to show people a way forward, which we hope will spur additional restoration efforts throughout the basin.” This river and its habitats power the livelihoods and recreational activities that shape our history, our culture, and our heritage. Audra Melton TNC Joe Baustain TNC Through the help of their donors, The Nature Conservancy has funded 4 graduate research fellowships at LSU, UL Lafayette, and Nicholls State. Together, they are taking an ecosystem approach to studying the effects of hydrologic restoration in the Atchafalaya Basin. To learn more about their research head to: YSI.com/blog/women-in-science