Adopt A Stream is an innovative program of the Nova Scotia Salmon Association (NSSA) and is supported by the Nova Scotia Department of Agriculture and Fisheries and the federal Department of Fisheries and Oceans.

Adopt-A-Stream is a program that can be used by community groups, schools, and youth groups to help improve living conditions for fish in Nova Scotia. Although the term is "Adopt-A-Stream", you are encouraged to adopt your watershed or, if that is too much to start with any area in your community that you think needs some care. You can adopt a lake, a pond, a large river, an estuary or a marsh. All these water habitats are important for fish and many other species of Nova Scotia wildlife.

For the purposes of this manual we will refer to the program as "adopting a stream". Keep in mind, however, that you can adopt any other place that you might find fish. The main purpose of this program is to improve the quality of fish and wildlife habitat in and around the waterways of Nova Scotia.

This manual has been developed for ordinary Nova Scotians from all walks of life. You don't need special knowledge about watercourses and fish to become involved. We have tried to keep the material easy to use and understand. This manual gives you the basic tools and guidelines for "adopting" a stream or any other watercourse.