15th annual CLARK FORK WATERSHED FESTIVAL
april 2008

Hundreds of 6th graders from Missoula, Victor, Lolo, Frenchtown and Bonner and Clinton spend the day exploring and celebrating about our Clark Fork Watershed.

Students travel through 7 stations learning about stream monitoring, bull trout migration, Native American fishing techniques and macro invertebrates.

They investigate about riparian habitats and try their hand at fly casting. They pull tansy and knapweed from along the stream bank and spread native plant seed to assist with the restoration effort.

Our presenters have included volunteers from the Westslope Chapter of Trout Unlimited, the Watershed Education Network, Missoula Parks and Recreation, Missoula County Weed District, Missoula Outdoor Learning Adventures, Hellgate High School’s Flagship Program, the Bureau of Land Management and the Salish Kootenai Tribe. Thanks to Missoula Parks and Recreation for the use of McCormick Park for the Festival. Over 650 students, 30 teachers and 150 volunteers participate.

Since 1994, the Montana Natural History Center has held an annual educational celebration of Clark Fork watershed. At the core of the Festival is a 2-day event involving over 600 sixth grade students and 150 volunteers. Students rotate through field stations led by professional presenters from local organizations and agencies. Past festival stations include:

• Aquatic Macroinvertebrate Art – Students paint their favorite aquatic macroinvertebrate in watercolor and discover the hidden lives of aquatic insects!
  
• Clean Stream Team – Using the fun and interactive Enviroscape Model, students learn how pollution flows through a watershed and how they can be stewards of the watershed.
  
• Awesome Aquifer - Discover the connection between our drinking water and the Clark Fork River
  
• Hooks and Ladders – Students play an active game that models the hazards faced by bull trout and other migratory fish over the course of their life cycle.
  
• Fly Fishing – Practicing traditional fly fishing techniques, students learn about the history of stream ecology and how to minimize human impact while recreating in our watershed.
  
• Watershed Weeds - Students learn about non-native plants and the threat they pose to our watershed.
  
• Watershed Wonders - Students will explore the last century in the Clark Fork Watershed through a guided inquiry relating to human health and water quality.
  
  Contact us to get involved!
  

Community Watershed Education Class

MNHC offers a Community Watershed Education class each spring at the University of Montana. UM Students lead activities for 2 classroom visits prior to the Festival.

This is an opportunity to learn about the Clark Fork Watershed from an array of perspectives, and to share that knowledge in local 6th grade classrooms! Connect with people and organizations doing environmental education in the Missoula valley and you will get to participate in the 15th annual Clark Fork Watershed Festival. This is a great opportunity to develop your own teaching skills.

This class is offered by the Montana Natural History Center for FREE, in exchange for the help you’ll be providing us with the Clark Fork Watershed Festival. 3 credits available through UM Continuing Education (separate fee).

Community Watershed Education Class>>
To learn more about this opportunity click on the above link or please contact Brian Williams at 327-0405.