The Penn’s Woods West and Forbes Trail chapters of Trout Unlimited were pleased to partner in bringing the STREAM Girls program back to western Pennsylvania after a several year hiatus due to the pandemic.  STREAM Girls is an outdoor watershed experience for middle school aged girls that employs STEM-based education (science, technology, engineering, math), recreation and arts to explore a local stream.

Participants explored Mill Creek at the Loyalhanna Watershed Association farm in Ligonier over a two day period, making connections to their home waters as scientists, artists and anglers. Numerous volunteers shared their expertise in subjects including collecting flow data, sampling macroinvertebrates, fly tying and fly casting.  Girls received certificates of completion and those who are Girl Scouts qualified for a conservation patch.  The program wrapped up with all participants successfully catching fish on fly rods at Donegal Lake!  Every individual is a citizen of their watershed, and through this program we’re helping to build an appreciation for conservation and the environment in the next generation