Watershed Education Network Welcomes You

We're Growing the Next Generation of Watershed Stewards.

Watershed Education Network

At a glance.

The Watershed Education Network is a non-profit organization dedicated to fostering knowledge, appreciation and awareness of watershed health through science and outreach.
We meet our mission by providing river ecology knowledge and field science experiences to children and young adults throughout western Montana.
We are growing the next generation of watershed stewards!
Our programs are aligned with current state and national standards. Thousands of students have discovered the natural laboratories right in their own backyards through the efforts of our committed staff and volunteers. We reach rural and under-served schools through our programs, taking broad science concepts and connecting them to places students know, often within walking distance of their classrooms.

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Volunteer + Internship Opportunities

What happens after a WEN field trip or c

Foster knowledge, appreciation and awareness of watershed health through science and outreach.

Citizen Science Stream Teams

#aquaticmacroinvertebrate station on Day

You can help collect meaningful stream data in the Missoula watershed.

About Our Organization

Founder Deb Fassnacht teaching kids from

Meet the WEN staff, board of directors, and interns.

"I’m always surprised at how many kids can’t name the river closest to their school. At how many kids have never walked to or spent time at the river closest to their school. Each year, my watershed unit starts out this way…and each year I am always surprised. Maybe saddened is a better descriptor. By the end of the unit, these same kids not only can name the nearest river, but they can rattle off macro species indicative of a healthy watershed. They realize that they have a duty to keep their local water supply healthy and happy. They have become citizen scientists in every sense of the word. But this all takes work…resources, time, energy and lots of patience. When it is up to one teacher, the task is daunting. Teachers are strapped for all the aforementioned items as it is. We pay for buses, for school supplies, and everything from water colors to meals and shoes for some of our students. To be able to pair up with a high quality local organization like the Watershed Education Network means the world to kids and teachers. The students get access to authentic and meaningful experiences guided by knowledgeable facilitators in a place based setting. And teachers are given an enormous gift…the ability to just teach. Funding, logistics, curriculum, pacing is all taken care of. The Adopt a Classroom Project is time, money and resources well spent! Thank you for making this happen in our community.”

Teacher Testimony, Kelli Van Noppen, Grade 4, Paxson Elementary, Missoula

Watershed Education Network Welcomes You

We're Growing the Next Generation of Watershed Stewards.