by Tara Schroeder
GMCG Education Coordinator
Each fall, students across the watershed conduct participatory science to learn about the health of our waterways through the Volunteer Biological Assessment Program (VBAP). Since 2006, schools have worked with GMCG to assess local rivers and streams, conduct water testing and sample for macroinvertebrates, investigate land uses that affect water quality, and more recently, sample for microplastics. Through the program, they gain a sense of place, participate in gathering real-world science that is used to track the health of our waterways, and understand why clean water is important as well as their role in protecting it for the future.
This year, more than 240 students from kindergarteners through sixth graders are participating in the program, in addition to many teachers, chaperones and volunteers who help with the field day programs when students are out on the rivers.
Schools that are involved in 2026 include: Effingham Elementary School; Freedom Elementary School; KA Brett School in Tamworth; Ossipee Central School; Pine Tree Primary School in Conway; and Sandwich Central School.Tara Schroeder, GMCG’s Education Coordinator, started this program with NH Department of Environmental Services and now runs the program in collaboration with NH Department of Fish & Game who help provide training for teachers, volunteers, staff and AmeriCorps members and receive GMCG’s annual reports. “It’s certainly my favorite program that we do with students for many reasons. Watching them get excited about science, exploring the river and learning new things, and getting inspired to be good stewards is just awesome. Even the parents and teachers are learning new things and really get into it, like helping the students find and sort the macroinvertebrates they caught. One student exclaimed how she couldn’t believe she missed the program last year to go to Disney, she was having so much fun!”
