Who lives in that river? Fish you may say? But what do they eat? And how do we find out? The answer comes down to water shoes, nets, buckets, and microscopes. In this catch and release program open to all scientists from very young to very old, we will explore the world of macroinvertebrates. Join the Hoosic River Watershed Association and aquatic biologist Declan McCabe on Saturday, July 18 at Linear Park, Water Street, Williamstown, MA for an exploration of the river critters who live in the Green River. Drop in anytime between 11am-12noon. Program will take place in the Green River just below (and to the left of) the woodland stairs on the Linear Link Trail.

DECLAN McCABE sees things that others miss. Each patch of soil, fallen tree, and puddle of standing water is a microcosm of life to be appreciated, studied, learned from. His book, Turning Stones: Discovering the Life of Water, (2024, Down East Books) is a careful look at the mysteries and life that can be found in a river if people just the take the time to look. As an aquatic ecologist and professor of biology at Saint Michael’s College, his job is to clearly communicate fascinating and complex biology to entry-level students. He also has been an outreach specialist to high-school audiences. His columns appear in “Northern Woodlands” and “Connecticut Woodlands” magazines and “The Outside Story” syndicated natural history series. He lives in South Burlington, but he’s frequently seen walking along the Winooski River, he says, where “slowing down, and observing carefully, reveals diverse life in unexpected places.”

DATE: Saturday, July 18
TIME: 11:00 am – 12:00 pm
LOCATION: Linear Park, Williamstown, MA

All equipment will be provided and improvised equipment for home use will be demonstrated. You provide wading shoes and/or boots. Microscopes will be set up for viewing the benthic macroinvertebrates up close. Staff will be on hand to help with catching and releasing aquatic critters for observation.

This program is free and open to all. Accommodations available for river critters and microscopes on the flat lawn at Linear Park. Please email [email protected] if you need accommodations to explore river critters.

This program is made possible by grants from the Berkshire Environmental Endowment Fund, a fund of the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation. and the Cultural Council of Northern Berkshire, a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.