Now this is a class I would have liked to attend as a child!

Event to help children identified creek critters

BEAVERCREEK — The Beaver Creek Wetlands Association will be hosting a new adventure later this Summer.

A presentation titled “Exploring the Underwater World — A Macroinvertebrate Experience” will be held at the creek beginning at 10 a.m. on Aug. 10.

“We’re going creekin’ in Little Beaver Creek which means we’ll be turning over rocks, digging in the sand, and using nets to discover incredible unseen creatures that call the creek home,” said Beth Edsall, Outreach Director. “We’re talking macroinvertebrates — think aquatic insects — and tiny fish and all sorts of fascinating creek life.”

Attendees are invited to meet at the large shelter house located at E.J. Nutter Park before hiking to Creekside Reserve to access Little Beaver Creek.

“You’ll learn how to identify these amazing critters and even cooler, find out how scientists use them as a report card to determine the health of the creek,” Edsall said. “It’s a hands-on lesson in ecology that’s way more fun than any classroom. So — let’s see what wonders we can discover together.”

Now that sounds truly fun, I trust they’ll be turning all those rocks back over in after the kids leave, right?

Event organizers hope it will spark interest in children and teens between the ages of 10-15.

Program leader Kevin Riley will give an introduction before leading the attending group on a short hike of half a mile into Creekside Reserve to access Little Beaver Creek. Any critters found will be released back into the creek after the program.

Registration is required for this free program. Parents must sign BCWA’s Electronic Liability Form. A QR Code will be on site or sign ahead online by clicking the link at beavercreekwetlands.org.

Twice when I worked at day care I lead creek walks from the Junior high. I’m not even sure where we got in or out. But I know it was fantastic.

Have fun!