Save Our Streams
(SOS) is a national watershed education
and outreach program. Since 1969, we have
cleaned-up stream corridors, monitored stream
health, and restored degraded stream
banks. For more on the program's history,
listen to a 2009
radio interview.
Virginia
SOS
More than 600 Virginia
Save Our Streams volunteers are collecting
water quality data at 400 sites across the
state. The Virginia Department of Environmental
Quality uses data collected by our volunteers
to identify healthy waters in need of
protection and polluted waters that need to be
restored. Volunteers also use the data to
prioritize and evaluate restoration projects
and to educate the public about how to reduce
pollution.
E-mail vasos@iwla.org
to join a water monitoring group or start a new
one. You can find more information on the Virginia
Save Our Streams Web page.
Creek
Freaks
Creek Freaks are groups of
middle school kids who perform stream
monitoring in their communities. Adult leaders
are trained in Creek Freaks activities and lead
the groups as they monitor streams using
biological, physical, and chemical methods. The
middle schoolers then upload their data and
photos to the Creek Freaks Web site.
For more information or to
find out how to be a leader see Creek
Freaks.
Project Watershed
Central New
York
Project
Watershed is an environmental
education and community outreach program that
engages central New York high school, middle
school and college students, and adult
volunteers, in monitoring water quality and
conserving local streams.
Getting
Started
Wondering about the
quality of streams in your neighborhood? Test
the water quality today! We'll help you get
started. Begin with SOS
Monitoring for step-by-step guidance
in monitoring, restoration, advocacy, or
education. Or visit our Project
Ideas section for a variety of hands-on
stream and wetland project ideas appropriate
for community groups or schools. If you're
ready to start with a monitoring project, click
here for a list of suppliers for SOS
Monitoring Equipment.
Need More
Help?
Contact the SOS program
via e-mail or
by calling 1-800-BUG-IWLA
(800-284-4952) for details on how to start
monitoring and improving stream quality in your
area.