A flowing stream with rocks and a fallen log in the foreground winds through a dense, leafless forest in the background.

Lawrence Brook Watershed Partnership Inc

Enjoy the full program with access to all main activities.

General Admission

Join the Lawrence Brook Watershed Partnership and AmeriCorps Watershed&nbsp;Ambassador, Stephen Greenwood (WMA 9), for a hands-on Stream Monitoring Workshop and learn how we can track the health of our local creeks and rivers. Whether you are a seasoned volunteer looking for a refresher or a curious neighbor wanting to learn a new skill, this hands-on workshop will train you to better evaluate a stream&#39;s health. Together, we will assess the health of Ireland Brook by exploring the fascinating, hidden world of its smallest residents, macroinvertebrates. What We Will DoThis field session focuses heavily on practical, in-the-stream skills. You will get to work directly with professional equipment alongside our local Watershed Ambassador to learn three key skills:<ul fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Visual Habitat Assessment: A brisk walkthrough of how to read a stream&rsquo;s physical health visually by analyzing features such as water flow, canopy cover, and erosion.</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Biological Sampling: Field techniques using kick nets and sampling buckets to safely collect live specimens from the streambed.</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Sorting &amp; Identification: How to isolate, examine, and identify aquatic macroinvertebrates (creek critters like dragonfly nymphs and caddisfly larvae) that serve as vital bio-indicators of overall stream health.</li></ul> What to Wear &amp; Bring<ul fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Clothing: Dress for the weather and wear clothes you don&rsquo;t mind getting a little dirty or damp.</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Footwear: Sturdy, closed-toe shoes are required. Waterproof boots, rain boots, or old sneakers you can submerge are highly recommended.</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Gear: We will provide all sampling gear, sorting tools, and a limited supply of chest waders.</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Personal Comfort: We recommend bringing a filled water bottle, bug spray, sun protection, and a light jacket.</li></ul> Parking &amp; Logistics<ul fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;"><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Limited Parking: The main Ireland Brook Conservation Area parking lot holds only 6&ndash;8 vehicles, with an additional 3&ndash;5 spots at the pull-off just before the bridge where Ireland Brook empties into Lawrence Brook.</li><li fr-original-style="" style="box-sizing: inherit;">Carpooling: To ensure we accommodate everyone safely, please consider carpooling with other attendees if possible.</li></ul>

Join the Lawrence Brook Watershed Partnership and AmeriCorps Watershed Ambassador, Stephen Greenwood (WMA 9), for a hands-on Stream Monitoring Workshop and learn how we can track the health of our local creeks and rivers. Whether you are a seasoned volunteer looking for a refresher or a curious neighbor wanting to learn a new skill, this hands-on workshop will train you to better evaluate a stream's health. Together, we will assess the health of Ireland Brook by exploring the fascinating, hidden world of its smallest residents, macroinvertebrates. What We Will DoThis field session focuses heavily on practical, in-the-stream skills. You will get to work directly with professional equipment alongside our local Watershed Ambassador to learn three key skills:<ul><li>Visual Habitat Assessment: A brisk walkthrough of how to read a stream’s physical health visually by analyzing features such as water flow, canopy cover, and erosion.</li><li>Biological Sampling: Field techniques using kick nets and sampling buckets to safely collect live specimens from the streambed.</li><li>Sorting &amp; Identification: How to isolate, examine, and identify aquatic macroinvertebrates (creek critters like dragonfly nymphs and caddisfly larvae) that serve as vital bio-indicators of overall stream health.</li></ul> What to Wear &amp; Bring<ul><li>Clothing: Dress for the weather and wear clothes you don’t mind getting a little dirty or damp.</li><li>Footwear: Sturdy, closed-toe shoes are required. Waterproof boots, rain boots, or old sneakers you can submerge are highly recommended.</li><li>Gear: We will provide all sampling gear, sorting tools, and a limited supply of chest waders.</li><li>Personal Comfort: We recommend bringing a filled water bottle, bug spray, sun protection, and a light jacket.</li></ul> Parking &amp; Logistics<ul><li>Limited Parking: The main Ireland Brook Conservation Area parking lot holds only 6–8 vehicles, with an additional 3–5 spots at the pull-off just before the bridge where Ireland Brook empties into Lawrence Brook.</li><li>Carpooling: To ensure we accommodate everyone safely, please consider carpooling with other attendees if possible.</li></ul>

Lawrence Brook Watershed Partnership Inc

LBWP Stream Monitoring Workshop

579 Riva Ave

General Admission

Free

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