Blue Thumb - Stream Protection Through Education

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Welcome to Blue Thumb!

Oklahoma’s Blue Thumb is a statewide citizen science program that trains volunteers to monitor creeks and streams and share their knowledge of water quality with others. The goal of Blue Thumb is to empower people to protect water in their region from nonpoint source pollution.

Over 75 Oklahoma streams are being monitored by Blue Thumb volunteers - citizens like you! The goal of Blue Thumb is to provide stream protection through education. We accomplish this by empowering citizens across the state to monitor a local stream and teaching them how to educate others about Oklahoma's water resources.

The first step to becoming a Blue Thumb volunteer is to attend a  volunteer training. We hold several throughout the year in different parts of the state, so there may be one happening near you soon. If you have a group of 10 or more people who are interested in becoming volunteers, let us know and we can schedule a special training in your area.

Blue Thumb is funded through the EPA's Section 319 Program, which covers nonpoint source pollution. This is pollution that flows into our streams and rivers from stormwater runoff.  Stormwater is not treated before it enters a stream, so everything we do on the land impacts our water quality. We are all part of the problem and we can all be part of the solution.

​Our children and our grandchildren deserve the chance to swim and fish in clean lakes and rivers, and you can help make that happen! Click here to get your Blue Thumb!
Blue Thumb is the education arm of the Water Quality Division of the Oklahoma Conservation Commission, with the mission of stream protection through education.

Upcoming Events:

We have a training session coming up in just a few weeks in Tulsa! This one-day training will introduce you to the Blue Thumb program and everything our volunteers do, plus Project WET. All participants will even go home with their own Project WET curriculum/activity guide. Click on the image for more details and to register.
Join us this July for a fun and informative three-day educator's workshop, Riverology 101, co-sponsored by Blue Thumb, GRDA, OSU Extension 4-H, Ag in the Classroom and the OU Water Survey. Click on the image below for more information and to register.