Becoming a Save Our Streams volunteer starts here! The steps required to become a certified Save Our Streams monitor are:
- Watch the three webinars below – Introduction to Water Quality, Introduction to Macroinvertebrates and your region’s Field Training Introduction.
- Fill out the Save Our Streams Certification Registration Form to get access to the macroinvertebrate exam.
- Complete the Macroinvertebrate ID exam with a passing score and receive your Macroinvertebrate ID Certificate.
- Attend an in-person field training*, where you will learn the Save Our Streams data collection protocol.
- Pass the Save Our Streams protocol exam for your region and receive your certification!
*At this time we will only be able to offer field days in regions with active staff and volunteer trainer presence. As such, we expect field days to be offered in the Mid-Atlantic and the Midwest.
Start Your Training Online
The first three steps in the Save Our Streams certification process can be completed online. Scroll down to view the three introductory webinars. Fill out the Save Our Streams Certification Registration Form once you have viewed them. After submitting the form you will receive access to the online macroinvertebrate ID exam via email.
Introduction to Water Quality
Learn about water quality in the United States, threats to water quality, and why monitoring matters.
Introduction to Macroinvertebrates
Meet and learn to identify the critters we use to assess water quality!
Before attending your in-person field trainings, please take a few minutes to orient yourself with an introductory video.
The Save Our Streams certification program is somewhat different depending on what region you plan to monitor. Where will you be? If you live in the Mid-Atlantic area, use the map to check whether you’re in the Chesapeake Bay region. (Remember to check based on your planned monitoring sites, which may be across the border from where you live.)
Monitors in the Chesapeake Bay Region
Monitors outside the Chesapeake Bay Region
SOS Certification Registration Form
Once you have completed viewing these three videos, please fill out the Save Our Streams Certification Registration Form to access the next steps of the certification process, including the Macroinvertebrate Exam.
The certification process for Virginia Save Our Streams is the same. Once you’ve completed the online portion, find a trainer near you and reach out to them to schedule your field training.
For more information about Virginia Save Our Streams, visit www.vasos.org.
Related Content
Save Our Streams is a registered trademark of the Izaak Walton League of America.
Your kit will include a bottle containing 25 nitrate test strips which you can use to test your water source(s) throughout the year. You’ll also receive postcards explaining how to use your nitrate test strips and how to share your Nitrate Watch results on the Clean Water Hub.
Your kit will include four test strips so you can test your waterway throughout the season. You’ll also receive a chart to help you interpret your results and a postcard with instructions for completing a Salt Watch test and reporting your findings.