The Leaf Pack Network is an initiative of Stroud™ Water Research Center. The Stroud Center seeks to advance knowledge and stewardship of freshwater systems through global research, education, and watershed restoration.

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.

Get Involved!

Individuals participating in the Leaf Pack Network engage in the full process of conducting real research while communicating and sharing their results worldwide. The Leaf Pack Network can be easily implemented in any curriculum and fulfills many state and national science standards.

Get started with our Leaf Pack Network Quick Guide available in English and Spanish.

Discover the value of macroinvertebrates as living indicators of water quality with the Leaf Pack Stream Ecology Kit..

Step 1

Gather materials to conduct the study.

Step 2

Choose a stream that is safely accessible.

The Leaf Pack Network manual has all the information you need to complete a project.

Step 3

Follow instructions in the Leaf Pack or Rock Pack Manual.

Step 4

Share your data on Monitor My Watershed!

Need More Information?

  • Welcome to the Leaf Pack Network

    “Using the aquatic organisms, children can monitor the water quality in their local streams and compare their results with those of others.”

  • Welcome to the Leaf Pack Network

    “I love that the Leaf Pack Network provides an authentic learning experience and exposes my students directly to the scientific process.”

  • Welcome to the Leaf Pack Network

    “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.”

  • Welcome to the Leaf Pack Network

    “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.”

Leaf Pack Network News

Leaf Pack Methods Video: Placing Packs in the Stream
/ Methods, News, Video

Grab Your Leaf Pack Network Manual and Follow Along With These Methods Videos

Whether you're new to the Leaf Pack Network or just need a refresher, our methods videos are a great way to supplement the material in the Leaf Pack Network Manual.
Environmental educator working with middle school students.
/ News, Video, Webinar

Leaf Pack Through the Ages: Monitoring With Students From Middle School to College

Learn from Leaf Pack Network® “superstars” as educators and partners share tips and tricks of engaging students in the Leaf Pack Network.
Simulated screenshots of PocketMacros app
/ Macroinvertebrates, News

Dive Into PocketMacros, a Free Mobile App Version of Macroinvertebrates.org

PocketMacros features nine orders of aquatic insects, plus other benthic macroinvertebrates commonly used in water quality biomonitoring and environmental education, with 150 taxa total.
Virtual macroinvertebrate sorting in the Leaf Pack Network Simulation.
/ Leaf Pack Experiment, News

Introducing the Leaf Pack Network Simulation

This virtual learning resource helps anyone anywhere to simulate multiple stream studies and compare results — all from the other side of a screen!
Photo of a hand holding a wet leaf with aquatic macroinvertebrates clinging to it.
/ College, Leaf Pack, Macroinvertebrates, News

Leaf Pack Network Adds Hands-On Experience to Virtual Learning

A Canadian university is making sure students get fieldwork experience despite the pandemic — by mailing them freshwater field kits to use at home.
Aquatic Macroinvertebrates in Motion Videos
/ Macroinvertebrates, News, Video

Aquatic Macroinvertebrates in Motion Videos

Explore our video library of aquatic macroinvertebrates wriggling, swimming, and crawling through stream water!
View All News