We are thrilled to announce the return of our Spotlight segment! As our Swim Guide Affiliate program continues to grow, we would like to share the exciting and diverse work that other affiliates in the community do with all of you. For this Swim Guide Spotlight, we reached out to Ray Hiemstra from Orange County …

The Swim Guide was created in order to answer the question, “Is it safe to swim?” For 9 years, we’ve provided up to date recreational water quality data for beaches, lakes, and rivers around the world. The Covid-19 pandemic has added a new intonation to the question of whether or not you can get sick …

Have you ever looked at a lake or a river and thought “I wonder what’s in the water?”Well, thanks to Kat Kavanagh and her Water Rangers testkits, you can actually find out what’s in your local waterbody. You can become a citizen scientist! Credit: Jessica Gordon Kat Kavanagh is the executive director and a co-founder …

At Swim Guide, our core mission is to provide the public with easier access to recreational water quality data. What started as a localized endeavor in the Great Lakes Region has expanded to be an international operation, serving over 3 million people. This past summer Swim Guide took a big step by expanding into Europe …

We are absolutely thrilled to be announcing the newest affiliate: Cork Harbour Waterkeeper in Cork, Ireland! Started by Noel Sheehan and Christine O’Neill, Cork Harbour is the first Swim Guide affiliate on the other side of the pond, bringing not only a new country to Swim Guide, but an entire continent. We couldn’t be more …

We are very excited to announce the newest member of the Swim Guide affiliate program, Surfrider Foundation’s Rincón Chapter in Puerto Rico! The Rincón Chapter was originally formed in 2001 by a small group of devoted citizens in an effort to help create the Reserva Marina Tres Palmas Marine Reserve, Puerto Rico’s first co-managed and …

For Immediate Release Pulse Energy is returning for the fourth time as the Swim Guide sponsor for New Zealand. The most current recreational water quality information for over 700 New Zealand swimming spots is accessible from the Swim Guide smartphone app and website thanks to Pulse Energy, a community owned electricity and gas retailer. In …

In an effort to describe the absurd beauty of their state Montanans have taken to referring to Montana as “The Last Best Place.” Montana was named for its mountains. There are over one hundred named mountain ranges in Montana. And where there are mountain ranges there are headwaters. True to form, Montana’s mountain fed lakes …

There are few environmental organizations that have found a way to grow public enthusiasm for science-based programs. Petitcodiac Watershed Alliance (PWA) is one of the few that have figured it out. Through their programs, which have grown to encompass a range of human health and environmental monitoring elements, PWA has not only sparked national media interest, but also …

Huge, pristine lakes. White sandy beaches. And some of the clearest water in Canada. You might not have guessed – but I’m talking about Manitoba beaches. Manitoba – the land of 100,000 lakes – is home to so many great beaches, Buzzfeed wrote an article about it. Grand Beach on Lake Winnipeg has been called one of …

Citizen scientists are addressing a number of California’s growing watershed challenges through grassroots efforts around the state. There is perhaps no place this is more true than with the Yuba River Waterkeeper, the Sierra Nevada’s first-ever waterkeeper. Here, a number of issues call for the support of citizen scientists: a growing population is putting increasing pressure on …

At a time when our news is fraught with doom-and-gloom stories about water quality and climate change, Mobile Baykeeper is keeping the tone light. It’s hard not to feel overwhelmed when it comes to the environment, but it is hard to feel as though we can truly effect change. What can we do to combat …