The Pike County Conservation District will host a free webinar April 6 to introduce the Leaf Pack Network® stream monitoring education program developed by the Stroud Water Research Center.

The Leaf Pack Network® is a program for monitoring stream health by placing packs of leaves in the stream for 3-4 weeks to see which macroinvertebrates colonize.

Macroinvertebrates are organisms widely used as indicators of water quality and habitat stability.

The program is a great opportunity for families with children, teachers looking for new ways to engage students, and community associations interested in hands-on learning to discover an educational way to explore their local streams.

The LPN Coordinator Tara Muenz of Stroud Water Research Center will explain the various ways to be involved, and how to plan your study, assemble and place leaf packs, identify the macroinvertebrates collected, and record the results.

She will share the many tools Stroud offers for free, including their database in which to record and share results internationally.

Watershed Specialist Rachel Posavetz will introduce the PCCD Leaf Pack Network®  Exploration Initiative which will explain how to participate in the Stroud study or just learn more about your streams. 

Communications Coordinator Devan George, will provide information on the District’s $500 Environmental Education grant which is available to offset costs to participate in a Leaf Pack Network® project for teachers, community associations or youth groups.

The webinar will be held from 4:00 to 5:00 p.m.

Registration for Intro to Leaf Pack Network® webinar is required by March 26th. Questions should be directed to:  dgeorge@pikepa.org or call 570-226-8220.

For more information on assistance available to landowners, other upcoming events and much more, visit the Pike County Conservation District websites.

[Posted: March 16, 2021]

3/22/2021