Get Involved:
Your Way!
Two Ways to Volunteer!
Love being on the water? Want to help protect vital underwater habitats? Choose your adventure with two exciting ways to get involved: iNaturalist Project or SAV Seekers.
Whether you dip your toes or dive all in, you can be a part of the effort to find SAV in Delaware.
Available Now!
Eyes on SAV - Delaware
Perfect for casual explorers and curious nature lovers. Just use the iNaturalist app (you may already have it!) to snap photos of submerged aquatic vegetation (SAV) wherever you see it — bays, creeks, ponds, or ditches. Every sighting helps us map and protect these critical habitats. It’s quick, simple, and makes a big impact.​​
Launching Spring 2026!
SAV Seekers:
Submerged Aquatic Vegetation Monitoring for a Healthier Waters
Looking to dive deeper? SAV Seekers is a more hands-on volunteer community science program for those ready to commit time to training, surveys, and restoration support. This program is currently in development.
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Whether you're a wader, paddler, boater or just curious about what lies beneath the surface, SAV Seekers invites you to become part of a growing network of trained volunteers helping to map and protect these essential underwater ecosystems. The goals of this Program include:
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Streamline Delaware SAV Monitoring
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Connect Communities to Conservation
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Support Conservation and Restoration Efforts
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Build Partnerships and Ensure Sustainability​​
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The Delaware Statewide Submerged Aquatic Vegetation Workgroup (DeSSAV) Volunteer Monitoring Program provides multiple exciting opportunities for involvement in SAV data collection. This Program is managed by the DeSSAV to provide consistent oversight across the state, and allows for multiple opportunities for a range of audiences from novice to established scientist to become involved including:
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Organizations wishing to run a Program within the state of Delaware can take on the role of Program Coordinator, where they recruit and train volunteers to gather SAV data.
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Individuals looking to volunteer their time can become SAV Seekers, receiving training and heading into the field to collect valuable data firsthand.
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What Volunteers Will Be Doing
SAV Seekers collect scientific data to help track the health of aquatic habitats across Delaware. After attending a training led by a certified Program Coordinator, volunteers will:
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Visit local waterways by foot, kayak, or small boat
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Identify and document SAV species and their habitat conditions
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Measure water quality (e.g., depth, salinity, clarity, temperature)
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Use field datasheets and digital tools like QuickCapture and Survey123
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Take geo-tagged photos of SAV, shoreline features, and aquatic life
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Submit observations to support ongoing conservation and restoration efforts
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No prior experience is required—just a passion for the environment and a willingness to get your feet wet!
