River ecology education
News
During 2025, the WRP staff and partners engaged over 2,000 students and teachers at 28 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, private foundations, and individual and business sponsors.
Program overview
Since 2010, the WRP has been engaging White River valley teachers and students in hands-on activities that raise awareness about watershed issues and create opportunities for 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). Students explore 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 August.
For more information, visit our 2026 Snorkeling Program overview.
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 September.
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 – Egg delivery and trout release assistance
For more information, visit our 2026 TIC Program overview.
FREE River Ecology resources
The WRP makes the following FREE resources available to schools located in the White River valley (see White River valley map here):
River Ecology curricula
- Crayfish Unit – Students learn about crayfish as an important member of the river food web and as an example of the impact of an invasive species (the rusty crayfish).
- Waterbugs Unit – Students learn how waterbugs are used as indicators of river health and water quality.
- Watershed Restoration: Culverts Unit – Students learn about the relationship between culverts and streams as well as the impact of culverts on clean water and fish passage.
- Freshwater Snorkeling Curriculum – Courtesy of the USDA Forest Service and collaborating partners, students learn about watersheds, National Forests, river habitats, aquatic diversity, and fish behaviors.
Lending Library kits
- Equipment & supplies that accompany the Crayfish and Waterbugs units
Service Learning
The WRP coordinates seasonal, hands-on, volunteer events focused on watershed stewardship. Check out our Annual Volunteer Events for more information about opportunities during the school year.
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).
For more information
Contact us to learn more about getting involved!
River ecology education
News
During 2025, the WRP staff and partners engaged over 2,000 students and teachers at 28 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, private foundations, and individual and business sponsors.
Program overview
Since 2010, the WRP has been engaging White River valley teachers and students in hands-on activities that raise awareness about watershed issues and create opportunities for 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). Students explore 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 August.
For more information, visit our 2026 Snorkeling Program overview.
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 September.
Participants have access to a menu of support from the WRP, including:
For more information, visit our 2026 TIC Program overview.
FREE River Ecology resources
The WRP makes the following FREE resources available to schools located in the White River valley (see White River valley map here):
River Ecology curricula
Lending Library kits
Service Learning
The WRP coordinates seasonal, hands-on, volunteer events focused on watershed stewardship. Check out our Annual Volunteer Events for more information about opportunities during the school year.
Costs
There are some costs associated with each Program option:
For more information
Contact us to learn more about getting involved!