Development of Inexpensive and DIY Water Sensors to Advance Community-Led Nature-Based Conservation Solutions

Research Location: Lake Aloatra, Madagascar and Dragon Run, Virginia
Conservation Partners: Conservation International Madagascar, the Moore Center for Science, and the Friends of Dragon Run

Past Student Researchers

Amany Shahata '27, Major: Biology, Minor: Integrative Conservation (intended); 2026 CRP
Abby Lane’ 28, Major: Biology, Minor: Integrative Conservation; 2026 CRP
Mandy Joyce '26, Majors: Integrative Conservation and Environmental Science
Cy Strain-Seymour '26, Majors: Computer Science and Linguistics
Leo Eichers '25, Major: Chemistry; Minor: Geology; CRP 2024
Jacob Timko '24, Major: Biology; Minor: Biochemistry; CRP 2024
Fiona Gordon '25, Major: Physics; CRP 2023
Sophia Holincheck '24, Majors: Chemistry and Computer Science; CRP 2023

Faculty Mentors

Dr. Nathan Kidwell and Dr. Jonathan Frey (2023-2024)

Project Description

Water quality is essential to both ecosystem health and community well-being, yet many communities lack affordable tools to monitor environmental change and emerging threats. In collaboration with Conservation International Madagascar, the Moore Center for Science, and Friends of Dragon Run, William & Mary students are exploring how a do-it-yourself, low-cost water sensor can support community-led watershed monitoring and conservation in both Madagascar and Virginia.

Building on a multi-year effort to develop a turbidity sensor that can be built and maintained with locally available materials, the project supports communities around Lake Alaotra, Madagascar, in monitoring how forest restoration and other nature-based solutions affect water quality and watershed health. By providing accessible tools to track restoration outcomes, the project aims to strengthen local capacity for conservation planning, climate adaptation, and ecosystem management.

In Virginia, the project applies these principles to the Dragon Run watershed, one of the Commonwealth's most ecologically significant waterways, which faces potential threats from sediment runoff, biosolid applications, agricultural activities, failing septic systems, and emerging contaminants such as PFAS. Using existing water-quality data, students will explore how the low-cost water sensor can support baseline assessments and help identify areas of the watershed that may be vulnerable to pollution.

The project will also evaluate how community-based monitoring can inform watershed protection, restoration, and management strategies. By linking innovative low-cost monitoring technology with watershed assessment and community engagement, this project seeks to provide practical tools that help communities protect water resources, identify environmental threats, and guide conservation action in both local and global contexts.

Skills and Prereqs

Two students are required, with the following backgrounds:

Student 1: GIS experience/background required
Student 2: Interest in engineering and building innovative tools

Travel

Travel for this project will primarily be local within Virginia and may involve day trips to field sites in the Dragon Run watershed and surrounding areas. Students should be prepared for outdoor fieldwork that may include kayaking or other water-based activities, accessing wet or muddy sites, carrying field equipment, collecting water-quality data, and testing sensors under real-world conditions.

Notes for Applicants

This project is a good fit for students interested in water quality, environmental monitoring, technology, and hands-on conservation work. Students should be comfortable with local travel within Virginia, working in and around water, getting their hands dirty, and potentially kayaking to access monitoring locations and conduct field-based data collection. The project is especially suited to students who enjoy problem-solving, experimenting with new ideas, and developing or adapting innovative tools to address real-world conservation challenges.

Number of students

Two

Project ID - Format

23-011-23-27- CRP Year

Interested in this project?

Review the CRP application requirements and submit your application by October 25, 2026.