2025 West Glacier Elementary Stream Ecology Program: Inspiring the Next Generation of River Stewards
June 2025 – West Glacier, MT — This spring, Flathead Rivers Alliance (FRA) teamed up with West Glacier Elementary School for an immersive, outdoor learning adventure: the 2025 Stream Ecology Program. Bringing curiosity, education, and conservation together, the program reached K-6th grade levels and left an unforgettable impact on both students and educators.
Program Highlights
Hands-On Exploration of Junior Ecologists
Flathead Rivers Alliance wrapped its 4th year hosting its 2-day stream ecology program for West Glacier Elementary School K-6th Graders. Students enjoyed hands-on activities exploring topics surrounding the Flathead Wild & Scenic River covering everything from stream ecology to river safety to river careers. Students spent a day along the Middle Fork of the Flathead River, learning firsthand about water quality, aquatic insect life, and the diverse habitat that sustains our river ecosystem. FRA educators guided them through water sampling, macroinvertebrate collection, and recorded observations—turning the riverbank into an open-air classroom.
Curriculum Integration and Local Science
Lessons covered key stream ecology concepts including:
Water chemistry basics (pH, temperature, dissolved oxygen)
Insect classification and bioindicator species
Habitat health and the role of clean water in supporting fish like westslope cutthroat trout and bull trout—two species critical to the health of the Flathead system
By weaving science curriculum into local environmental context, students connected national learning goals with what’s happening in their own watershed.
Science Through Art
The students wrapped 2-day program by creating river-centric art that will be displayed July-August at Flathead County Library-Columbia Falls location (130 6th St W Ste C, Columbia Falls, MT 59912).
Partnerships That Strengthen Impact
This program built on FRA’s broader commitment to education and river stewardship—alongside its volunteer initiatives such as River Ambassador training, Citizen Scientist data collection, and Water Quality Monitoring programs. It also reinforces the organization’s role educating youth about the ecological and cultural importance of the Flathead Wild & Scenic River corridor. Learn more about volunteer programs: Get Involved — Flathead Rivers Alliance
Why It Matters
Cultivating River Stewards Early
Engaging students with hands-on ecology helps foster a lifelong respect for freshwater ecosystems. Children who understand how rivers function are more likely to protect them later in life.
Building Baseline Knowledge for Future Action
The data collected during this program helps students better understand local water health trends, feeding into longer-term monitoring plans that extend beyond school programs.
Aligning with Mission-Driven Community Education
This program aligns perfectly with FRA’s focus on watershed education, stewardship, and citizen science. As volunteer and educational programs expand in 2025—from River Ambassador outreach to broader water quality and floating monitoring efforts—the stream ecology curriculum adds depth, directly impacting local youth and families.
Gratitude
Huge thanks to our friends at Glacier and Columbia Falls Ace Hardware for stepping in and donating $3,000 to cover the purchase of a stream ecology education class set when we experienced an unexpected federal funding freeze. Their support allowed us to purchase a classroom set of: multi-indicator quality sampling test kits, (10) field microscopes, materials for bull trout lessons, hip waders to collect benthic macro invertebrates and water quality samples from river, (2) D-kick nets, and so much more!
Programs like these aren't possible without our incredible partners and donors. Thank you The Forest Service - Flathead National Forest, Glacier Raft Company, and Glacier Guides and Montana Raft Co. for sponsoring our staff time, so we can continue to provide these opportunities to West Glacier Elementary School.
Join Us in Supporting the Future of Our Rivers
Interested in bringing FRA’s Stream Ecology Program to your local school? Want to support river education through donations or volunteering? Visit our river education page or reach out to info@flatheadrivers.org to learn more.
Thank you to West Glacier Elementary, our consistent program supporters, and our valued funding partners—YOU make community-based river education possible.
Together, we're inspiring the next generation of river stewards.
— Sheena Pate, Executive Director, Flathead Rivers Alliance
Bonus
We had a fun surprise visit from Wild River Adventures guides and North Valley Search & Rescue volunteers who were participating in their Swiftwater Rescue Certification through Montana River Guides. They took a break in training to check-out our benthic macro invertebrates station. Bonus: West Glacier Elementary students got a chance to watch some of their in-river rescue training. Learn more about area training resources: Three Forks of the Flathead River: Alerts, Trip Planning, Outfitter, & Resources — Flathead Rivers Alliance.
