9:00am-1:00pm

3775 VT-313, Arlington, VT 05250

Join the Bennington County Conservation District for a hands-on, family-friendly day exploring the tiny creatures that call our local streams home. Creek critters are  aquatic insects, snails, and other macroinvertebrates that help us understand the health of our waterways and the impact of how we care for the land.

This program is perfect for families, youth groups, educators, and curious adults. No science background required, just a willingness to get your feet a little wet.

What to Bring

• Shoes that can get wet and muddy (old sneakers or water shoes)
• Weather-appropriate clothing, hat, and sunscreen
• Reusable water bottle
• Optional: a small camp chair or blanket if you’d like a dry place to sit on shore

Accessibility & Comfort

We aim to make Creek Critters Community Day as welcoming as possible:

• A mix of in-stream and shore-based activities for different comfort and mobility levels
• Staff and volunteers on hand to assist with nets, buckets, and identification
• Simple, plain-language explanations for all ages and experience levels

If you have specific accessibility needs or questions (mobility, sensory, language, etc.), please contact our Community Information Officer, Ashley Farrington at a.farrington@bccdvt.org or call 802-681-8526 and leave a message. 

Why Creek Critters Matter

Aquatic macroinvertebrates are sensitive to changes in water quality and habitat. By paying attention to which critters we find — and which we don’t — we get important clues about:

• Pollution and runoff
• Erosion and sediment
• Streamside vegetation and shade
• Overall stream health and resilience

This event connects directly to BCCD’s broader work supporting healthy soils, clean water, and resilient communities across Bennington County. 

Come meet the tiny neighbors living in our creeks and learn how we can all help keep their homes clean and healthy.