Who We Are
The Watershed Education Network is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing river ecology knowledge and field science experiences to community members throughout western Montana, with a record of over 25 years of success serving local public schools and the University of Montana. Our programs meet current and future national and state field science education standards and thousands of students have discovered the natural laboratories right in their own backyards through the efforts of our committed staff and volunteers. We reach rural and under-served public schools through our programs, taking broad science concepts and connecting them to places students know, often within walking distance of their classrooms.
What We Do
The Watershed Education Network has various programs in which we aim to meet our mission statement of fostering knowledge, appreciation and awareness of watershed health through science and outreach: growing the next generation of watershed stewards.
Our programs include:
Stream Team Citizen Science
Volunteer citizen scientists join us on Sundays in the fall and other days throughout the year to measure stream health! This includes looking at aquatic insects, water chemistry, velocity, photos, mapping the stream channel shape, and more! NO PRIOR EXPERIENCE OR SPECIAL GEAR NEEDED! New folks join us every outing, and you are welcome to join for as many or as few as you like! Come spend some time in the creek (in provided waders) and learn some science!
Groundwater
Volunteers join us monthly every month there is not snow/ice on the ground to measure the depth of the aquifer under our feet at 15 wells and 4 bridge locations in the Rattlesnake! Each outing comes with an intro to groundwater and the aquifer!
School Programming
School Stream Monitoring Field Trips: Trips take place at different stream sites across western Montana each fall and spring. Most schools visit the same site each season to facilitate seasonal and long-term comparisons of chemical, physical, and biological data. Field trips are a great way for students to get out of the classroom, get field science experience, and learn about their watershed from a scientific inquiry perspective. Most schools complement their field experience with a classroom visit both before and after their trip to the creek to introduce concepts and discuss results respectively. Volunteers help at whatever level you are comfortable with, if that is leading, assisting a teacher, helping with set up or tear down, taking photos, or even as an extra set of eyes to watch for safety in the stream, you are welcome to join!
Details
| (406) 451-9287 | |
| water@montanawatershed.org | |
| Stephie Novak | |
| Citizen Science Coordinator | |
| http://www.montanawatershed.org/ |
