Local Youth Dive into Stream Science This Summer with “Stream Keepers” Program – Radio Catskill

This summer, kids across Pike and Wayne Counties have a chance to trade video games and screens for nets and waders, thanks to a unique program offered by the Pike County Conservation District. The Stream Keepers Program is an interactive experience aimed at youth ages 11 to 14 — and their chaperones — that brings stream science to life.

The program combines environmental education with outdoor adventure, offering hands-on activities such as macroinvertebrate surveying, fly tying, and fly casting to teach young participants about stream ecosystems and the importance of clean water.

“It’s all about getting kids in the stream and engaging them in real science,” said Rachel Marks of the Pike County Conservation District. “We want them to understand how these small creatures — the macroinvertebrates — play a big role in the overall health of the ecosystem.”

What’s a Macroinvertebrate?
Don’t let the big word scare you. Macroinvertebrates are small stream-dwelling creatures — like aquatic insects and larvae — that can be seen with the naked eye. Because they are sensitive to pollution and other environmental changes, they serve as bioindicators of stream health.

“They’re fun to find, and they’re a great teaching tool,” added Emily Mansfield, who co-leads the program. “The kids love flipping over rocks to find these tiny critters, and we use that excitement to talk about water quality and ecosystems.”

A Creative and Scientific Connection
The Streamkeepers program was originally developed by Trout Unlimited, a national nonprofit dedicated to freshwater conservation. That partnership continues today, with local Trout Unlimited members leading fly tying demonstrations that mimic the macroinvertebrates found in the stream. Kids choose their own colors and materials to design their flies — and even take them home.

“Fly tying and fly casting are not just fun,” said Marks. “They help kids understand the food web and the importance of preserving natural habitats.”

Beyond the Stream
While the Streamkeepers program focuses on youth education, the Pike County Conservation District is also tackling environmental issues on a broader scale — including one that’s a bit more grounded: sediment pollution from roads.

Through the Dirt, Gravel, and Low Volume Road (DGLVR) Program — funded by the Penn State Center for Dirt and Gravel Road Studies — the District works with local townships to stabilize public roads and reduce runoff into nearby waterways.

“Sediment might not be what people think of when they hear ‘pollution,’” Mansfield explained. “But it’s the number one pollutant in Pennsylvania waterways. It can clog fish gills and harm those same macroinvertebrates we’re teaching the kids about.”

The DGLVR program provides technical assistance and grant funding to municipalities and public road owners to help keep dirt where it belongs — on the road and off the water.

Community-Wide Conservation
The Conservation District engages with a wide range of community members, from elementary school kids to municipal leaders. Their partnerships with organizations like the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) help them expand their impact.

“We like to say we work with kids and big kids,” Mansfield joked. “It’s about fostering a lifelong connection to conservation.”

Image: Bugs collected from a stream in the Steam Keepers program. (Credit: PikeCountyConservation.org)

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