We had a splash of a good time at WVU Jackson’s Mill last week, where Guardians of the West Fork hosted a Save Our Streams workshop led by the amazing Clare Talbott! Clare, an intern with Save Our Streams, brought her enthusiasm, knowledge, and hands-on teaching style to the group—and did a wonderful job guiding everyone through the basics of stream monitoring.
With 11 total participants, the workshop was small but mighty. We were thrilled to be joined by biologist H. Nicholas Millett from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Partners for Fish and Wildlife Program, Lisa Hollingsworth of American Rivers, and four WVU students eager to get their hands (and boots) wet.
Participants learned how to assess stream health by looking at the bugs that call our waters home—benthic macroinvertebrates, to be exact! These tiny critters can tell us a lot about the condition of our streams, and everyone had a chance to collect samples, identify species, and understand what those findings mean for the West Fork Watershed.
The event wasn’t just educational—it was also a great opportunity to connect, share stories, and get inspired about the work we can all do to protect our streams. Whether it was a first-time stream-stomper or a seasoned conservationist, everyone walked away having learned something new.
A big thank you to Clare for leading the charge, to our wonderful guests from USFWS and American Rivers, and to all the students and community members who made the day so special. We’re proud to be part of this growing movement to protect and restore the waters we love.
Stay tuned—more workshops and opportunities to get involved are on the way!
Guardians of the West Fork Watershed 