Penn State Extension Hosts In-Person Educator Workshops On First Investigation Of Stream Health March 18 In Butler County, March 31 In Cumberland County

The Penn State Extension will host two in-person educator workshops on First Investigation of Stream Health March 18 in Butler County and March 31 in Cumberland County.

This workshop invites participants to take a closer look at how watershed landscapes and human activity influence stream health through changes in water flow, habitat, and pollution. 

Designed for formal and non-formal environmental educators, the session explores common physical, biological, and chemical indicators of stream condition and introduces the First Investigation of Stream Health (FISH) protocol as a hands-on assessment tool.

Participants will learn how to guide students in evaluating local streams and will receive the First Investigation of Stream Health Educator Guidebook, aligned with PA STEELS Standards, along with an educator kit containing the materials needed to lead visual and biological stream assessment activities.

This workshop combines indoor and outdoor learning and will take place rain or shine. Participants should be prepared to spend approximately two hours outside, walking to the stream site over uneven terrain and accessing the stream bank and edge. 

Attendees are encouraged to bring a lunch and water bottle, dress for outdoor activities, and wear rain boots or shoes that can get wet.

Who is this for?

-- Middle school teachers

-- High school teachers

-- Environmental educators

-- Volunteers who lead youth-focused water quality projects

What will you learn?

-- How watershed landscapes affect stream health

-- Common physical, biological, and chemical indicators of stream health

-- How to use the First Investigation of Stream Health (FISH) protocol to assess stream condition

-- How to guide students through a local stream health assessment

Act 48 hours will be provided to Pennsylvania-certified teachers. No information is required during registration, but participants seeking credit must bring their PDE ID number to the workshop.

Locations

The March 18 workshop will be held at the Buffalo Creek Nature Center, 154 Monroe Road, Saver, Butler County from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

The March 31 workshop will be held at the Lower Allen Township Municipal Building, 2233 Gettysburg Road, Camp Hill, Cumberland County from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Click Here to register and for more information.

Visit the Penn State Extension website to learn more about many other educational opportunities.

[Posted: January 27, 2026]  PA Environment Digest