The AML-Connect community layer is what makes the platform more than a static library. Registered members can connect with other practitioners, post in topic-specific forums, join working groups, contribute resources and media, and follow what the network is doing in real time. This article covers everything outside the forums — registration, your profile, the member directory, working groups, and the activity feed.
Registration
Creating an account is free and takes two minutes. Registration is open to anyone working on Pennsylvania AML and AMD issues — practitioners, agency staff, technical providers, community leaders, educators, researchers, and partners.
To register:
- Go to https://aml-connect.org/register/
- Enter your name, email address, and a password
- Check your email for an activation link and click it to activate your account
- Log in at https://aml-connect.org/login/
The Knowledge Base, Resource Library, and Media Library are publicly accessible without an account. Registration is required to post in forums, join working groups, follow members, and contribute content.
Setting Up Your Profile
After registering, complete your member profile so other members can find and understand your work. A complete profile makes the network more useful for everyone.
To edit your profile: log in, click your avatar or name in the top right, and select Edit Profile.
Key profile fields:
- Name and organization — who you are and where you work
- Network Segment — select the category that best describes your role (practitioner, agency staff, technical provider, community leader, educator, researcher, funder, or general public)
- Region or watershed — helps other members find you by geography
- Bio or description — a brief note about your work and interests
- Profile photo — optional but helps people connect a name to a face
The Member Directory
The member directory lists all registered members of AML-Connect. You can browse by name, organization, or network segment, and view individual member profiles.
Use the member directory to:
- Find practitioners working in your region or watershed
- Identify agency contacts and technical providers across the state
- Connect with others working on similar treatment systems or monitoring programs
- Follow members whose contributions you want to keep track of
Visit the member directory at https://aml-connect.org/members/
Working Groups
Working groups are focused coordination spaces for members working on shared topics. Each group can have a charter describing who it is for and what it focuses on, a dedicated discussion thread, and a defined purpose that connects back to the rest of the platform.
Possible working groups:
- Monitoring and Data Working Group — volunteer monitors, conservation district staff, and assessment practitioners sharing field methods and monitoring data
- Treatment and O&M Working Group — practitioners maintaining passive AMD treatment systems, sharing O&M experience, troubleshooting, and lessons learned
- Programs and Funding Coordination — grant writers and program managers sharing updates on PA AML/AMD funding programs, deadlines, and application guidance
- Regional Pilot Group — organizations in the pilot region coordinating on shared watershed priorities and local project opportunities
To join a working group: go to https://aml-connect.org/groups/, browse the available groups, and click Join on any public group. Private groups require an invitation from the group steward or admin.
Working groups are where coordination happens. If a group has a document to share, submit it through the Resource Library intake form. If you produce a photo or recording, submit through the media intake process. Outputs from group work feed back into the platform and become part of the shared knowledge base.
Network Activity
The activity feed shows what is happening across the AML-Connect community in real time — new forum posts, group updates, member joins, and resource contributions. It is the fastest way to see what the network is working on and where active conversations are.
Visit the activity feed at https://aml-connect.org/activity/
What Members Can Do
A registered member on AML-Connect can:
- Post questions and contribute to discussions in all eight forum boards
- Join public working groups and participate in group discussions
- Complete a member profile and appear in the member directory
- Follow other members and track their contributions
- Submit resources through the resource intake form at https://aml-connect.org/submit-resource/
- Submit photos, videos, and other media through the same intake form
- Follow the network activity feed
- Receive notifications for forum replies, group activity, and direct messages
Community Guidelines
AML-Connect is a shared space for the full PA AML/AMD network. All members are expected to communicate respectfully and professionally, keep posts on-topic and relevant to AML/AMD practice, cite sources when sharing technical claims or data, and respect the confidentiality of private project information.
Violations are handled through a progressive process: warning, suspension, and in serious cases, account removal. Read the full Community Guidelines at https://aml-connect.org/community-guidelines/
Getting Help with the Community Features
If you have trouble registering, logging in, or using any community feature, post in the Site Feedback forum at https://aml-connect.org/forums/site-feedback/ or contact admin directly at [email protected]. We aim to respond within 48–72 hours.
