Diatoms of North America
Date: Sunday May 17, 2026
Time: 9:00am – 5:00pm
Location: Spokane Convention Centre, Spokane Washington
Hosted By: Sarah Spaulding and the SFS Diatom Taxonomic Certification Committee
Workshop Description
Overview
Diatoms are foundational to freshwater bioassessment and provide high-resolution indicators of environmental change. Yet, accurate diatom identification remains a critical challenge across laboratories and monitoring programs. This full-day workshop introduces participants to diatom preparation, identification, and the taxonomic framework that underpins the SFS Diatom Taxonomic Certification Program.
Participants will work with expert taxonomists and digital resources from Diatoms of North America to build confidence in genus- and species-level identification, strengthen analytical consistency, and connect to the growing community of certified diatom analysts.
Learning Objectives
By the end of this workshop, participants will:
- Become proficient in using Diatoms of North America for reliable identification and training.
- Learn distinguishing features of common freshwater diatom genera encountered in assessment programs.
- Practice light microscopy techniques with prepared slides from lakes and streams.
- Understand how to achieve taxonomic consistency and quality assurance across analysts and laboratories.
- Learn about the structure and requirements of SFS Diatom Certification at the Genus (Level 1) and Species (Level 2) levels.
Format
The workshop combines short instructional sessions, microscope-based exercises, and interactive demonstrations using the Diatoms.org platform. Participants will have guided opportunities to compare identifications, discuss taxonomic challenges, and explore methods to improve reproducibility in diatom data. The workshop is open to all experience levels—from early-career scientists and students to managers seeking to use diatoms as water quality indicators.
Outcomes
Participants will have the opportunity to sit for Level 1 (Genus) or Level 2 (Species) SFS Diatom Certification exams during the conference, develop a connection to the diatom taxonomic community through SFS, and contribute to expanding Diatoms.org as a shared educational and QA/QC resource.
What to bring: Personal diatom slides or material (optional). Participants are also encouraged to bring along their own drinks, lunch and snacks for the day.
Cost: $40, includes materials and online resource support.
