River ecology education
News
During 2024 the WRP staff and partners engaged over 1,500 students and teachers at 25 schools in our river ecology education program.
Program funding was provided by the Greater Upper Valley Chapter of Trout Unlimited, Green Mountain National Forest, Watersheds United Vermont, Wellborn Ecology Fund, Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department, private foundations, and individual and business sponsors.
Program overview
Since 2010, the WRP has been engaging White River valley teachers and students in classroom and field work activities that raise awareness about watershed issues and create opportunities for hands-on, place-based, river ecology education.
Current offerings include:
Freshwater Snorkeling
The WRP partners with the Green Mountain National Forest to coordinate a Freshwater Snorkeling program each September.
Participants spend 1 full day at the West Branch Restoration Site on the Green Mountain National Forest (2924 Brandon Mountain Road, Rochester, VT) exploring the impact of land use on water quality and biodiversity through hands-on snorkeling and waterbug collection activities.
The program is open to 4th, 5th, and 6th grade classes from White River watershed schools (see White River valley map here) via a first-come, first-served registration process each June.
Trout in the Classroom
The Greater Upper Valley Chapter of Trout Unlimited (GUVTU) and WRP work together to coordinate a White River Trout in the Classroom (TIC) program each year. TIC is a national program, coordinated in Vermont by VINS.
The White River TIC program is open to any school in the White River valley (see White River valley map here) via a first-come, first-served registration process each August.
Participants have access to a menu of support from the WRP, including:
- New participants – Lending Library equipment, based on availability
- Returning participants – Optional resupplies bulk order
- All participants – Equipment set-up assistance, egg delivery, tank maintenance assistance, and trout release assistance/River Ecology unit delivery (1 unit per participating school – see options below)
River Ecology Units
The WRP delivers seasonal, river ecology education units to schools located in the White River valley (see White River valley map here).
River Ecology unit options include:
- Buffers – assessing and monitoring river-side vegetation
- Crayfish – sampling these key members of river and riparian food webs
- Culverts – conducting assessments to determine if stream-crossing structures are fish-friendly and/or flood-resilient
- Riparian Track and Sign – finding evidence of wildlife activities along river corridors
- Waterbugs – sampling these biological indicators of river health and water quality
River Ecology unit components include:
- WRP Watershed Scientist support for unit delivery and student field work assistance; and
- A Lending Library* of unit-specific equipment, supplies, and informational resources; and
*White River valley schools may borrow unit-specific Lending Library equipment at no cost (based on availability).
Costs
There are some costs associated with each Program option:
- Freshwater Snorkeling – Schools cover transportation costs to the West Branch Restoration Site on the Green Mountain National Forest (2924 Brandon Mountain Road, Rochester, VT).
- Trout in the Classroom – Returning participants cover the cost of annual resupplies (~$100/year).
- River Ecology: unit delivery – White River valley schools participating in TIC receive 1 free unit delivery each school year. For other interested White River valley schools, the WRP can provide a fee schedule.
For more information
Contact us to learn more about getting involved!
River ecology education
News
During 2024 the WRP staff and partners engaged over 1,500 students and teachers at 25 schools in our river ecology education program.
Program funding was provided by the Greater Upper Valley Chapter of Trout Unlimited, Green Mountain National Forest, Watersheds United Vermont, Wellborn Ecology Fund, Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department, private foundations, and individual and business sponsors.
Program overview
Since 2010, the WRP has been engaging White River valley teachers and students in classroom and field work activities that raise awareness about watershed issues and create opportunities for hands-on, place-based, river ecology education.
Current offerings include:
Freshwater Snorkeling
The WRP partners with the Green Mountain National Forest to coordinate a Freshwater Snorkeling program each September.
Participants spend 1 full day at the West Branch Restoration Site on the Green Mountain National Forest (2924 Brandon Mountain Road, Rochester, VT) exploring the impact of land use on water quality and biodiversity through hands-on snorkeling and waterbug collection activities.
The program is open to 4th, 5th, and 6th grade classes from White River watershed schools (see White River valley map here) via a first-come, first-served registration process each June.
Trout in the Classroom
The Greater Upper Valley Chapter of Trout Unlimited (GUVTU) and WRP work together to coordinate a White River Trout in the Classroom (TIC) program each year. TIC is a national program, coordinated in Vermont by VINS.
The White River TIC program is open to any school in the White River valley (see White River valley map here) via a first-come, first-served registration process each August.
Participants have access to a menu of support from the WRP, including:
River Ecology Units
The WRP delivers seasonal, river ecology education units to schools located in the White River valley (see White River valley map here).
River Ecology unit options include:
River Ecology unit components include:
*White River valley schools may borrow unit-specific Lending Library equipment at no cost (based on availability).
Costs
There are some costs associated with each Program option:
For more information
Contact us to learn more about getting involved!