By Joseph M. Morgan

joseph@southerntorch.com

FORT PAYNE, Ala.—Experience a view of Little River’s watershed and how it connects to the rest of Alabama and our oceans. Many species of fish and aquatic invertebrates, including some types of crayfish, mussels, and snails, live only in Alabama.

Participants have a good chance of observing some species only found in certain Alabama streams & rivers; they will learn about the impacts of dams on waterways, & learn how pollution moves through aquatic environments. We will take a short walk to Laurel Creek & the West Fork of Little River for a dip to view native fish & invertebrates such as crayfish, mussels, and snails up close.

The workshop is based on the ‘Creek Kids’ program, a partnership between the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division (WFF) and Tannehill Ironworks Historical State Park. Alabama State Parks partnered in late 2014 and hopes to offer more of these opportunities.

Where: DeSoto State Park-Fort Payne, Alabama. Location disclosed at time of registration. Participants should bring a lunch/snacks/water, clothes & footwear suitable for the river.

Date: Saturday, Aug. 22

Signup by: Friday, Aug. 21

Time: 9:00-2:00 p.m.

Fee: Free & open to ages 5 and up.

Pre-registration is required, please call 256-997-5025 or email for details. Workshop is limited to 15 participants.