What is Save Our Streams?

Working to protect, preserve and restore Maryland's 17,000 miles of waterways

In April of 1970, in conjunction with the first Earth Day, Save Our Streams was officially announced as a vibrant new environmental organization in Maryland. Early achievements were remarkable, particularly those focused on stream restoration. First acclaim for this work came in 1971 when SOS was presented an award by the Maryland Fish and Game Protection Association for it's restoration successes in Baltimore County.

SOS has been recognized as the state's leading advocate for protecting and restoring Maryland's 17,000 miles of streams since 1970.

In 1995 Save Our Streams was chosen by Old Bay Seasoning Company as one of the east coast's best community based organizations.
In 1993 the Spencer P. Ellis Award for outstanding contribution to the environment was presented to Save Our Streams.
In 1992 President George Bush presented SOS with The President's Environmental and Conservation Challenge Award. The citation is the nation's highest honor of it's kind.
The first annual Chesapeake Bay Conservation Award was presented to SOS by the Izaak Walton League and DuPont Corporation.

Decades of population growth and extensive business and housing development have placed Maryland's streams under tremendous stress. 90% of Maryland's 17,000 miles of streams are considered to be degraded or impaired. SOS is taking the lead in creating change.

In just one year Save Our Streams supported 33,767 volunteer efforts totaling 98,428 hours improving Maryland's streams by providing data collection, environmental education, and community services valued at more than a million dollars.

Save Our Streams educates citizen volunteers and community organizations to clean, monitor, and protect Maryland's waterways. SOS addresses the root causes of stream pollution by educating and supporting people to perform commonsense projects to solve them. We also help to build bridges between community organizations, government and businesses.