On April 25, WREN Center hosted Life in Our Streams, a first-of-its-kind workshop exploring the hidden life of the Laurel River Watershed. Held at the Laurel Community Center, the event brought community members together with regional experts in aquatic ecology, fungi, insects, native fish, and water quality.

Presentations led by experts in their fields revealed that a stream is far more than flowing water. Leaves entering the stream become food, and aquatic fungi begin the decomposition process. Insects feed on the conditioned leaves and fungi, fish feed on the insects, and the stream ultimately supports wildlife throughout the surrounding forest and river corridor.

Participants learned why mayflies, stoneflies, and caddisflies are especially important. These pollution-sensitive aquatic insects are widely used as indicators of stream health. When diverse populations of these organisms are present, they provide strong evidence that the water is cold, clean, and capable of supporting a healthy ecosystem.

The workshop also highlighted the Laurel River Watershed’s exceptional natural resources, including 222 miles of streams, extensive forest cover, diverse aquatic life, and its Outstanding Resource Waters designation.

The watershed supports hundreds of aquatic invertebrate species, more than 30 native fish species, and the rare Eastern Hellbender salamander. Its healthy waters also support river otters, beavers, ospreys, mergansers, and bald eagles.

By combining scientific knowledge with hands-on learning, Life in Our Streams helped participants better understand, appreciate, and protect Madison County’s remarkable waterways.

WORKSHOP AGENDA

9:00 – 9:05 AM 

Welcome 

Rodney Webb, WREN Center - Board Chair 

9:05 – 9:30 AM 

The Laurel River Watershed and Food Chain 

Presented by Mary Kelly 

9:30 – 10:15 AM 

The Aquatic Fungi 

Presented by Vald Gullis 

10:15 – 11:00 AM 

The Aquatic Insects 

Presented by Dave Penrose 

11:00 – 11:45 AM 

The Fishes 

Presented by Pat Ciccotto 

11:45 AM – 12:00 PM 

Mountain True & Helene

Presented by Anna Alsobrook 

12:00 - 1:00 PM 

Lunch 

1:00 – 5:00 PM 

Field Demonstrations

Performed by Mary, Dave, Vlad and Pat

The event was supported by the Madison County Tourism Development Authority and hosted by the Laurel Community Center. WREN Center also thanked the Smoky Mountain Diner of Hot Springs for providing lunch and Tom Bernard of the Asheville Mushroom Club for assisting with a microscope display. 

Thank you all for coming out in the rainy weather and supporting our mission!!