Take the kids out to the Haw River in Saxapahaw from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m., Saturday, June 27, for a hands-on free ecology lesson, then stay on for an evening of family-friendly summer fun.

The kid-friendly event offers you and your kids a few hours by the Haw River with others interested in stream ecology and monitoring. You'll dip your nets and turn over rocks in the river to find critters (known scientifically as “benthic macroinvertebrates”) that live there. The critters you'll be seeking are more and less pollution sensitive, so they can tell a lot about the health of the stream in Saxapahaw.

The Streamside Haw River Watch Training on river monitoring for water quality is sponsored by the Haw River Assembly, http://www.hawriver.org. Haw River Watch Project Coordinator Cynthia Crossen will lead the training and you'll learn how to measure a stream's water quality by identifying the number and type of water bugs (macroinvertebrates) and by doing simple chemical tests.

Ater the monitoring, stay to hear Jimmy Magoo and the Good Life play (fun for the whole family), visit the farmer's market and crafts booths, buy a picnic supper, and enjoy this lovely summer event in Saxapahaw.

(Note: If it's raining heavily, this event will be cancelled--please call 919-542-3827 (or if no answer, 919-360-7890 on the day of the event, if in doubt.) )

Meet at the information desk for “Saturdays in Saxapahaw” http://www.rivermillvillage.com/farmers.html.

Bring: Waterproof boots or water shoes; protective footwear for a short walk. Be prepared to be outside, take a short walk to the river, and be near (or in!) the river. (It is tick season--you may want the protection of bug spray.)

Directions: From Chapel Hill/Carrboro: Drive west on highway 54 ten miles from the stop light at Carrboro Plaza. Turn left onto Saxapahaw-Bethlehem Church Road at the green sign and arrow pointing left to Saxapahaw. “Saturdays in Saxapahaw” is 3.5 miles ahead. From Durham: Follow 15-501 through Chapel Hill. It will become the 15-501-54 Bypass. Highways 15 and 501 will exit south toward Pittsboro; continue on highway 54. Follow the directions above for Chapel Hill. From Graham and I-85/40: Take highway 54 east toward Chapel Hill, exit 148. Drive to the intersection of Mebane Oaks Road on the left and Saxapahaw-Bethlehem Church Road on the right. This is about 11 miles from the Interstate. Turn right onto Saxapahaw-Bethlehem Church Road. “Saturdays in Saxapahaw” is 3.5 miles ahead. From Pittsboro: Take highway 87 north. Go through the blinking light at Eli Whitney; 2 miles farther, turn right at the white historic marker announcing Saxapahaw onto Church Road. “Saturdays in Saxapahaw” is on the right after you cross over the Haw River on the Buddy Collins Memorial Bridge.

Questions? For more information on this event or on how to monitor a creek as part of the Haw River Watch Project, email Cynthia Crossen, Haw River Watch Project Coordinator, at riverwatch@hawriver.org, or call her at 919-967-2500 (w), 919-542-3827 (h).