Volunteers save our streams

Clean streams are vital to our communities. They provide safe drinking water, support recreational activities like fishing and kayaking, and are habitat for fish, birds, reptiles and other wildlife. But it can be difficult to track the health of our waterways. The Izaak Walton League of America has a stream monitoring initiative, Save Our Streams, that uses volunteers to collect data from their local streams and rivers, adding to state and federal databases that are critical to restoration efforts like those here in the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

Established in 1969, Save Our Streams initially focused on trash cleanups and reporting visible pollution. In the 1980’s, the program evolved to collect a wide range of data that directly informs stream restoration efforts to this day. Today, Save Our Streams focuses on monitoring the abundance of macroinvertebrates, small aquatic organisms that are critical to a healthy food web.

In Virginia, the Save Our Streams program has been active for 29 years. The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality uses the data collected by certified volunteers to track restoration needs across the Commonwealth. The data is also included in a watershed-wide database, called the Chesapeake Data Explorer, that is managed by the Chesapeake Monitoring Cooperative. Volunteers across Virginia and parts of Maryland contribute data to this monitoring effort which helps state and federal agencies decide which streams require the most attention.

Volunteers join the macroinvertebrate monitoring program for a wide variety of reasons. They might be graduates of the Virginia Master Naturalist Program, anglers who know the importance of macroinvertebrates for fishing, passionate environmentalists or residents who are looking for a way to give back to their community. Their backgrounds might be diverse but their desire for clean water unites them. The great thing about this program is that almost anyone can get involved. The Izaak Walton League provides the necessary tools and training for volunteers to identify macroinvertebrates and report their findings. The certification process involves online webinars, a test and a hands-on field study, ensuring volunteers are well-prepared.

The data collected by Save Our Streams volunteers is invaluable. It establishes a baseline for stream health, tracks changes over time, measures the effectiveness of restoration projects and provides crucial data to support future conservation initiatives.

Likewise,the dedication of the volunteers are truly inspiring. In Virginia, some volunteers have been with the program since the 1990s. Today, there are over 400 active monitors collecting macroinvertebrate samples in Virginia streams. The organization uses a “train the trainer” model where existing volunteers can show new volunteers how to conduct the macroinvertebrate monitoring. It’s the gift that keeps on giving and ensures the program's continued growth and impact.

Outside of the Save Our Streams program, the Izaak Walton League offers several other monitoring programs to fit community and individual needs. The Creek Critters App is perfect for families looking to explore their local waterways. The app tells people how to identify stream bugs, and once  identified, a photo can be uploaded to the app for researchers to use. The Salt Watch and Nitrate Watch programs send sampling kits to residents who can test their tap water or local waterway. After a sample is taken, volunteers submit the results to the Izaak Walton League’s Clean Water Hub. Volunteers don’t even need to leave their house to participate in the Salt Watch and Nitrate Watch programs! Through the Chemical Monitoring program, volunteers can check the chemistry of their waterway in just 30 minutes.

Ready to start your water quality monitoring journey? Visit the Izaak Walton League’s website to find the volunteer program that best fits with your schedule.