Florida LAKEWATCH

LAKEWATCH Volunteers

Florida LAKEWATCH is a citizen volunteer lake monitoring program that facilitates "hands-on" citizen participation in the management of Florida lakes, rivers, and coastal sites through monthly monitoring activities. Become a volunteer today!

Volunteer Hub

Welcome to the LAKEWATCH Volunteer Hub—your central resource for everything related to Florida LAKEWATCH! Whether you're a long-time volunteer or just getting started, this hub is designed to support your vital role in monitoring Florida’s waterbodies. Here, you’ll find training materials, collection centers, and updates to help you stay informed and engaged. Your dedication makes a real difference, and this space is here to make your experience as a citizen scientist both rewarding and impactful.

Become A Volunteer

Find out more about our volunteer requirements, benefits, and training.

Volunteer Resources

Find training videos, manuals, field sheets, and more.

Collection Centers

Find a collection center near you to drop off samples and replenish supplies.

Noteworthy

Tom and Peggy Prevost adore Lake Santa Fe and its smaller basins, Melrose Bay and Little Santa Fe Lake.

“When I look out, you never know what you’re going to see in the mornings,” says Tom. “It’s a blessing. The natural beauty that we’re able to see…so you have an interest in keeping the lake and water quality good.”

That interest in water quality led Tom and Peggy to become volunteers for Florida LAKEWATCH 34 years ago.

Celebrating Volunteer Commitment

We are proud to recognize the outstanding dedication of our LAKEWATCH volunteers who reached significant service milestones in 2024. Spanning 10 to 30 years of consistent water quality monitoring, these individuals have played a vital role in building one of the most comprehensive long-term water quality databases in the nation. Their commitment to collecting reliable data across Florida’s aquatic systems is the foundation of our program’s success. We extend our sincere thanks and congratulations to each of our milestone volunteers—your contributions are deeply valued and truly impactful.

2024 volunteer milestones by length of time