For 30 years, Nature Forward has been teaching the natural history of aquatic ecology and training volunteer stream monitors who track the health of our region’s streams. Learn from the experts: study stream science in our introductory classes, and you just might be inspired to become a stream monitor yourself!

SELF-PACED ONLINE CLASSES AVAILABLE ANY TIME

Stream Science Introduction: Part 1: Healthy Stream Biology*. An introduction to monitoring and non-insect macroinvertebrates. Part 2: How to Read Your Stream*. Learn about the influence of land uses on streams, stream character and dynamics, bank erosion, bar formation, substrate composition, different velocity-depth regimes, and the importance of riffles and riparian vegetation. *These classes are recommended for all volunteer monitors and those interested in joining the program.

Advanced Macroinvertebrate Identification Series: Our advanced classes are perfect for those interested in deepening their knowledge about biological stream monitoring and are taught by instructor Cathy Wiss. Each class runs 45 – 70 minutes and includes extensive photos and videos collected by our own monitoring volunteers and staff, plus several carefully curated recommended videos from other sources. Classes include: Caddisflies; Beetles; Megaloptera, Hemiptera, Lepidoptera; True Flies; Damselflies and Dragonflies; Mayflies; Stoneflies. Bonus review session included if you sign up for the full series (15% discount for entire class series ($170 non-members / $102 members, includes a bonus review session).

REGISTRATION & FEE INFORMATION

Registration required: click here to register online for all classes. Cost for all classes: each class $25 non-members / $15 Nature Forward members / Free for any Nature Forward volunteer who has monitored with the WQM program in the last two years. Contact [email protected] for more information.