Seeing Streams Clearly: How Educators Can Get Involved With Local Waterways
A volunteer learns how to use a transparency tube to measure water clarity. Photo: Natalie Marioni, Penn State
Healthy streams play an essential role in Pennsylvania's landscape. The state has the second-highest number of stream miles in the U.S., yet many adults and youth alike are not aware of how these waterways function or how their condition changes over time. Stream health is influenced directly by what happens on the land around it. Land use, vegetation type and amount, stormwater runoff, and pollution all influence water quality and the habitat supporting the plants and animals that depend on clean water. Understanding these relationships is an important step toward protecting local water resources, and educators are in a unique position to help students and communities see these connections more clearly.
Penn State Extension's First Investigation of Stream Health survey, or FISH, provides an easy and accessible way to observe and track different measures of stream health. The FISH survey focuses on common physical and biological indicators that show how well a stream is functioning. These indicators include water clarity, habitat structure, and signs of aquatic life in and around the stream. Even simple annual observations can reveal whether a stream is improving or declining, and long‑term data can show how restoration projects influence local waterways.
Strengthening public understanding of stream health begins with building confidence in observing and interpreting the natural world. By learning to use the FISH protocol, educators can help students investigate how their local streams respond to seasonal changes, nearby land practices, and restoration efforts. These experiences not only support science learning but also encourage informed stewardship in the community. Whether used once for a class field experience or over several years to track environmental change, FISH offers a clear and accessible entry point into watershed education.
To support educators who want to teach about stream health, Penn State Extension is offering in‑person FISH Educator Workshops this spring. These sessions are designed for both formal and non‑formal educators and provide training on utilizing the FISH protocol with students. Educators will learn how watershed landscapes shape stream conditions, how to recognize key stream health indicators, and how to guide youth students in hands‑on assessments in local waterways. The workshop includes indoor instruction and outdoor field time at a stream site, where educators practice completing a FISH survey, evaluating water conditions, and identifying animals that require healthy streams. Each participant receives the First Investigation of Stream Health Educator Guide and an educator kit containing the materials needed to conduct stream assessment activities with youth.
Two educator workshops are scheduled for March 2026.
- March 18, from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM at the Buffalo Creek Nature Center, 154 Monroe Road, Sarver, PA, 16055, in Butler County.
- March 31, from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM at the Lower Allen Township Municipal Building, 2233 Gettysburg Rd., Camp Hill, PA 17011, in Cumberland County.
The workshops run rain or shine and include indoor instruction followed by about two hours outdoors on uneven terrain and along a streambank. Participants are encouraged to dress for the weather and wear footwear suitable for wet conditions. Act 48 credit is available for certified Pennsylvania teachers who bring their PDE ID number. This workshop is offered at no cost through support from the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection's Environmental Education Grants Program. Space is limited, and registration is required.
Educators who want to deepen their understanding of Pennsylvania's waterways and bring high-quality water education to their students are encouraged to register for the March workshops. Hands-on training and real-world data collection make this program a strong foundation for teaching about local water resources.
For more information, including registration deadlines, or to register, please visit the workshop website. To register for one of the workshops by phone, call Customer Service at 877-345-0691.
