Bringing Your Class to the River

The Cahaba River, one of the most biologically diverse rivers in North America and internationally recognized as a critically important river ecosystem, offers unparalleled hands-on learning opportunities for students in Alabama. Cahaba River Society works with teachers and group leaders to schedule activities and experiences that support and develop your curriculum to educate, motivate, and inspire youth to take active roles in conservation and careers in science. Shane Hulsey CLEAN (Conservation Leadership through Educational Activities in Nature) Environmental Education programs are available for all classes and students, regardless of resources or ability. 

Cahaba River Society’s environmental education programs are available to students and groups at the river and in the classroom. These hands-on programs develop an understanding and appreciation of nature. Children and youth will learn where our drinking water comes from and how to keep it healthy and abundant. They develop knowledge to help make informed decisions to safeguard our water resources.

What’s the cost? 

Hands-on experiences at the Cahaba River start at $10 per participant. Full and partial scholarships are available to ensure all students and schools can access the river.  Contact Education Director La’Tanya Scott to learn more about scholarships. 

Are you a teacher or group leader who’s already scheduled an activity at the Cahaba River? Visit our Trip Leader’s Toolkit for FAQs, forms, and everything you need to prepare your group for a successful trip.

Program Options

Young people have a natural curiosity about science and the environment. CLEAN’s interdisciplinary field and classroom curriculum encourages critical thinking and prepares young people to make informed decisions about water resources. CLEAN Environmental Education programs teach the science that underpins stewardship while engaging young people in fun, healthy outdoor play, helping to foster a new generation of informed leaders.

CLEAN Stream Walks

Stream walks are the best hands-on, feet-in-the-water educational experience for students from 3rd grade and up. 

Your class will learn about the health and biodiversity of the Cahaba River ecosystem and the factors that affect the river’s health and drinking water. Then, they’ll have an opportunity to wade in the river and apply these concepts.

CLEAN offers options depending on the grade level and class focus, including:

• Watershed orientation
• Collecting and learning about fish and macroinvertebrates
• Water quality assessments
• Chemistry assessments
• Geography analysis

Have you already scheduled a stream walk for your class? Visit our Trip Leader’s Toolkit for everything you need to prepare your class for a successful trip. 

CLEAN Canoe Trips

Experience the Cahaba from a canoe while learning about its unique features. Age-appropriate field activities include developing canoeing skills, stream walks, watershed orientation, ecosystem exploration, and geological analysis.

Our staff will provide canoes, paddles, life jackets, and safety expertise for your group of up to 22 participants. Available for students from 6th grade and up. 

Classroom CLEAN

Cahaba River Society provides CLEAN educational programming for the classroom in addition to hands-on, feet-in-the-water learning at the river. Your students will experience an age-appropriate presentation on the Cahaba River, conservation, biodiversity, and environmental threats. Options include hands-on wildlife experiences and a watershed map activity. 

Classroom CLEAN will provide context for your science curriculum and inspire students for conservation and careers in science.

CLEAN the River Service Learning Projects

Students of all ages experience conservation in action with hands-on activities to clean the river, remove invasive plants, and restore native vegetation and river ecosystems.

Schedule An Experience for your group or class.

Online Learning Library

Visit our online learning library for educational materials, resources, and videos. 

Safety is our First Priority

Field trips are carefully organized to ensure the participant’s safety. We’ve taken more than 40,000 students to the Cahaba River over the last 30 years, and we have never experienced a serious accident. Scrapes or bruises typical of childhood play occur from time to time, but our staff is trained to address situations that arise. Every trip has program staff with current first aid and CPR certifications. 

Planning Your Trip

Education Director La’Tanya Scott works hand-in-hand with teachers to plan successful field trips and classroom experiences. To learn more and schedule an experience for your class, fill out this form or call (205) 322-5326 today.