Feet to Fins: Freshwater Conservation Educator Trek

  • Saturday, May 02, 2026
  • 9:00am - 5:00pm
  • Downtown Raleigh

 

seven people standing in a stream using dipnets and seine nets to sample the aquatic life

Date: Saturday, May 2, 2026
Times: 9am to 5pm

Get your feet wet discovering some of the incredible conservation work being done in freshwater ecosystems in NC! This educator workshop is jointly hosted by the NC Museum of Natural Sciences and the NC Aquariums as a mini conference with the Mid-Atlantic Marine Educators Association (MAMEA). During this workshop, participants will have the opportunity to get behind the scenes at the NC Museum of Natural Sciences, learn about conservation efforts through both the Museum and the NC Aquariums, tour the Ichthyology collection, and try out some field sampling methods first-hand. This course will provide participants with hands-on activities, access to digital educator resources, and instruction and practice with conservation field methods. Species of interest during the workshop may include Cape Fear shiners, Carolina madtoms, Neuse River waterdogs, bog turtles and spotted turtles.

Locations/Transportation: Participants will provide their own transportation from downtown Raleigh NCMNS to Prairie Ridge Ecostation in west Raleigh (about a 10 minute drive).

Credit: 8 contact hours toward CEUs or Criteria II/III for North Carolina’s Environmental Education Certification Program

Please register on the MAMEA website.
The full workshop fee is due when you register and payment is via credit card. Registration for most Educator Treks is on a first-come, first-served basis. Treks fill quickly, so register early!

Details

  • Fee: $25 for current MAMEA members (includes lunch and digital workshop materials) $40 for renewing or non-MAMEA members (includes lunch, digital workshop materials, and a 2026 MAMEA membership) *The cost of this Trek is reduced due to a grant through the US Fish and Wildlife Service.
  • Requirements: For educators (includes teachers, administrators, pre-service or substitute teachers; non-formal educators; anyone working on their EE certification)
  • Program Instructor(s): Megan Davis, Gail Lemiec, Gabriela Hogue
  • Activity Level: Moderate — we may cross uneven terrain while sampling a creek and/or bend and twist to scoop fish from a boat.
  • Categories: , , ,

Details

Date:
May 2
Times:
9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Fee:
$25 for current MAMEA members (includes lunch and digital workshop materials) $40 for renewing or non-MAMEA members (includes lunch, digital workshop materials, and a 2026 MAMEA membership) *The cost of this Trek is reduced due to a grant through the US Fish and Wildlife Service.
Website:
https://mamea.squarespace.com/mini-conferences

Venue

Biodiversity Research Lab

Nature Research Center

Participants will provide their own transportation from downtown Raleigh NCMNS to Prairie Ridge Ecostation in west Raleigh (about a 10 minute drive).

121 West Jones Street
Raleigh, NC 27601 United States
Phone:
919.707.9800

Organizer

Rory McCollum
9197079898