Connecting with community partners is an aspect of my work that I greatly enjoy, especially when that partnership leads to an exciting new program series. I am thrilled that we are partnering with Evergreen Metro District (EMD) to launch a new workshop focused on watershed education and protection. The idea for this program was born out of a desire to increase public awareness of the health of Bear Creek and its surrounding watershed.

The “Living in a Watershed” workshop series exists to train new community scientists in water quality testing and macroinvertebrate sampling. We envision an engaged community that is committed to maintaining the health and longevity of Bear Creek, a vital water source for our mountain community. Stretching from Summit Lake on Mount Blue Sky, all the way down to Bear Creek Lake and beyond to the south side of Denver where it joins the S. Platte, the watershed has a broad impact on our mountain community and the wildlife that we share a home with. This program series, which includes three informational sessions and three hands-on field days, will give participants hands-on experience caring for our watershed. Participants will be trained in macroinvertebrate sampling – a method for evaluating the health of the water by studying the aquatic insects that live there – and be part of an important community science initiative.

Along with this new program series, Evergreen Audubon and Evergreen Metro District are launching a Watershed Warriors Annual Competition focused on watershed protection and awareness. Participants will earn points for conservation tasks such as picking up litter, attending a watershed workshop, recycling fishing line, and more! Our goal is to foster enthusiasm for caring for our watershed. I hope you’ll consider attending the workshop and become a Watershed Warrior!

More information and registration

Series Schedule: 3rd Wednesday of each month, May–October

• Wednesday, May 21: Workshop – “What is a Watershed?”
• Wednesday, June 18: Workshop – “Watershed Flora and Fauna”
• Wednesday, July 16: Workshop – “Watershed Impacts & Protections”
• Wednesday, August 20: Field Day – “Intro to Macroinvertebrates”
• Wednesday, September 17: Field Day – “Macroinvertebrate Sampling”
• Wednesday, October 15: Field Day – “Macroinvertebrate Sampling”