Last week, Huron-Manistee National Forest launched its Little Manistee Weir Fish Cam during the 2017 River Network Rally, a national conference that focuses on education, inspiration and celebration with the river and water community.

NatureWatch critter cams and snorkeling programs are outstanding ways to showcase the excellent watershed conservation efforts of our national forests by immersing nature watchers—both online and in person—into the aquatic realm, so they can observe fish and other aquatic organisms in their natural habitat through the clarity that only a clean stream can provide.

The Cherokee National Forest snorkeling program, pioneered by Jim Herrig, has been such a success that it was the subject of a short film, “A Deeper Creek: the Watchable Waters of Appalachia.” Those interested in starting snorkeling programs or joining the Forest Service network of critter cams can contact Kim Winter.

Washington Office employees Kim Winter, NatureWatch program leader, and Mike Eberle, surface water program leader, visited Huron-Manistee National Forest fish biologist Chris Riley for the event.

While in Michigan, Winter and Eberle also met with partners from North Bay, Trout Unlimited, Michigan Department of Natural Resources and the Spirit of the Woods Conservation Club to discuss logistics and feasibility of starting a freshwater snorkeling program. They also visited potential sites for hosting the snorkeling program. Partners are hoping to organize at least one snorkeling trip for young people in 2017 at the fish weir.

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