Penn State Extension: Can You Tell If A Stream Is Healthy? Meet The Stream Doctors With Science U

Stream health is crucial for maintaining the balance of aquatic ecosystems and the overall well-being of surrounding environments. 

Healthy streams provide habitats for diverse flora and fauna, support biodiversity, and contribute to clean water sources for human consumption and recreation. 

Additionally, they play a vital role in regulating local climates and mitigating the impacts of flooding by absorbing excess water. 

Monitoring and preserving stream health are essential to safeguarding these invaluable resources and ensuring sustainable use for present and future generations.

Penn State Extension staff in partnership with the Penn State Eberly College of Science, Science U Camps took students to visit a stream to learn how to determine whether a stream is healthy or not. 

During the camp WPSU was on-site to film the whole experience so youth across the Commonwealth and throughout the Northeast can learn how to conduct their own stream health assessments at home using some easily observed indicators and completing a Stream Health Chart.

Click Here to watch video.

The Stream Health Chart activity used at this camp came from Brooke Meets a Stream Doctor, where a young explorer learns how she can help clean up and protect a stream in her own neighborhood. 

She meets Dr. Watt R. Shedd who shares practical steps young people can take to make their streams healthier. Together with Brooke, readers will learn that they, too, can improve streams. 

Parents and teachers can guide young readers, or Brooke's story can be read independently.

Visit the Science U @Home Stream Health Experiment page to participate in this activity at home.

You can get your own copy of Brooke Meets a Stream Doctor from Penn State Extension online.

For a more advanced Stream Health Assessment, check out our First Investigation of Stream Health.

Visit the Penn State Extension website to learn about a wide variety of educational opportunities.

(Written by Brad Kunsman, Extension Ag Conservation Educator, and Jennifer Fetter, Director, Center for Agriculture Conservation Assistance Training.)

(Reprinted from Penn State Extension Watershed Winds newsletter.  Click Here to sign up for your own copy (bottom of page).)

Other Extension Articles:

-- Climate Smart Agriculture And Conservation Practices

-- Engaging Locally In Water Quality Planning

-- Center for Agricultural Conservation Assistance Training Factsheet On Stream Crossings

-- Celebrate Earth Month And Earth Day - April 22

Related Articles:

-- Penn State Extension To Host Agricultural Conservation Conference June 4-6 In State College  [PaEN] 

-- Registration Open! Pennsylvania Groundwater Symposium, May 23 In Harrisburg  [PaEN]

[Posted: April 18, 2024]  PA Environment Digest