Events

Rivers are full of life, even in the depths of winter!

Together with the St. Clair County Parks and Recreation Commission, we invite you to join us as we enter streams on a hunt for the elusive winter stonefly. These tiny insects, equipped with a natural-antifreeze, spend most of their lives as nymphs in the water and emerge as adults in winter when predators are mostly inactive.

Stonefly nymphs are very sensitive to water pollution, prefer cool, high-oxygen water, and will not tolerate unhealthy conditions. When we find them thriving in a stream or river, it’s a sign of good water quality.

We’re planning to survey the Belle River to look for this thriving cold-weather creature.  Meet us at Columbus County Park, main lodge, located at 1670 Bauman Rd in Columbus Township. No experience necessary to participate! We provide all the tools needed. You bring your warm winter gear, and boots or waders.

Registration is required to participate in the Stonefly Search. Let us know you plan to attend by emailing our Education Manager, Melissa, at melissa@scriver.org. Once registered, you will be contacted with further details about a location, you Stream Team captain, and wader requests.

Thank you to St. Clair County Parks and Recreation Commission for being a proud partner and co-host of Winter Stonefly Search.