Become Empowered and Energized Learning About Your Local Watershed!
The Leaf Pack Network® is an international network of teachers, students, and citizen monitors investigating their local stream ecosystems. Following instructions in the Leaf Pack Network Manual, monitors use tree leaves and aquatic insects to determine the health of their stream and understand its ecology.
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“Using the aquatic organisms, children can monitor the water quality in their local streams and compare their results with those of others.”
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“I love that the Leaf Pack Network provides an authentic learning experience and exposes my students directly to the scientific process.”
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“Kids really love it when we take the leaf packs in and all of a sudden the bugs start moving. They really get into it. They get excited about science.”
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“It’s amazing to watch students work with the leaf packs. They had no idea that those creatures lived there and could indicate their stream’s health.”
Step 1
Gather materials to conduct the study.
Step 2
Choose a stream that is safely accessible.
Step 3
Follow instructions in the Leaf Pack Network Manual.
Step 4
Share your data on Monitor My Watershed!
Need More Information?
- Check the Resources page!
- Subscribe to the Leaf Pack Network e-newsletter to be notified about the latest news and events.
- Contact us for specific information on how to become involved or for the location of a workshop in your area.
Leaf Pack Network News
Exploring Ecosystem Engineers With the Rock Pack Experiment
Scientists and educators from Montana State University and Stroud Water Research Center have created an exciting extension of the Leaf Pack Network: the Rock Pack Experiment.
Introducing the Monitor My Watershed Data Portal
The Monitor My Watershed® data portal lets you share your Leaf Pack Network® data with the world and explore do-it-yourself environmental sensor datasets.
New Leaf Pack Stream Ecology Kit Featuring Sensitivity Groups
Announcing the release of the updated kit featuring a new dichotomous key, new sorting sheet, updated manual, and a simplified biotic index calculation.
