2026 Streamkeepers Course
Learn practical skills to understand, monitor, and care for freshwater streams through this hands-on 2½-day Streamkeepers Course, developed by the Pacific Streamkeepers Federation.
Course Details
When:
- Friday, September 25: 6:30–9:00 PM
- Saturday, September 26: 9:00 AM–4:30 PM
- Sunday, September 27: 9:00 AM–4:30 PM
Participants must attend all three days to complete the course.
Where: LUSH Valley Upstairs, 2342A Rosewall Crescent (White Door), Courtenay, BC V9N 8R9, and nearby creeks for field work
Instructor: Michele Jones, RPBio
Cost: $200 – $300, with accessible rates available
Glen Urquhart Creek ~ M. Ai-Li
Dip Netting for Stream Invertebrates ~ M. Ai-Li
This hands-on course combines classroom learning with field-based training at local creeks, giving participants the practical knowledge and skills to become active stewards of their local streams and watersheds. Participants will complete all modules of the Pacific Streamkeepers Handbook, gaining experience including:
- Stream habitat surveying
- Water quality assessment
- Stream invertebrate identification
- Juvenile and spawning fish identification
- Basic stream restoration concepts
Upon successful completion, participants will receive a Streamkeepers certificate from the Pacific Streamkeepers Federation.
Requirements
No previous experience is required—just an interest in stream health and a willingness to get your hands (and potentially socks) wet!
Participants should be comfortable walking on trails and working in and around streams.
Field Gear: Gumboots and weather-appropriate clothing are needed for field work. Chest or hip waders are helpful for field work but not required.
Streamkeepers Manual:
An in-person copy of the Streamkeepers manual (14 modules) is required for the course. Participants may bring the online version on a tablet or laptop, or purchase a printed copy for $40 cash or e-transfer during the course.
The free online version of the Streamkeepers manual can be downloaded from the Pacific Streamkeepers Federation website.
Walking in Full Stream Monitoring Gear ~ C. Doucet
Funders
Registration
Registration closes Thursday, September 17.
Course Fee Subsidy: A limited number of subsidized spots will be available for participants who require financial assistance. We have also applied for additional funding to help offset course fees for all participants and are currently awaiting a funding decision. Depending on the outcome, participants may receive a partial or full refund of their course fee.
We need at least 8 people to sign up in order to run the course, and there is room for a maximum of 20 participants.