The Save Our Streams Program


Save our Streams (SOS) is the hands-on stream conservation program of the Izaak Walton League of America. SOS teaches volunteers, educators, professionals and students to monitor, protect and restore our nation's rivers and streams. SOS is based on the idea that waters must be protected by the people who live near them.

SOS has projects in all 50 states, with tens of thousands of volunteers serving as stream and wetland stewards. SOS supports this important work through publications, hands-on workshops and technical assistance. The SOS Program is also a source of stream monitoring equipment. Information about the SOS Program, including a catalog of publications and materials, is available online at Izaak Walton League of America.

It should be noted that the SOS Program has developed methods for assessing the quality of streams with either rocky or silty bottoms. The Stream Study only presents methods for streams with rocky bottoms. In addition, the SOS Program has cooperative arrangements in some states whereby trained SOS volunteers collect data for environmental agencies. Specific methods and data recording requirements may differ from procedures presented in the Stream Study.

SOS Contact Information

Program Director: Julie V. Middleton (jvincent@iwla.org)
Technical Coordinator: Leah Graff (leah@iwla.org)

Technical Assistance Hotline: 1-800-BUG-IWLA

Mailing Address: SOS, Izaak Walton League of America, 707 Conservation Lane, Gaithersburg, MD 20878


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