NEVADA CITY, CA — Sierra Streams Institute will celebrate its 30th anniversary with a free community event on Saturday, May 16 from 1:00 to 5:00 PM at Pioneer Park in Nevada City, bringing together art, music, and hands-on science to highlight three decades of watershed research, restoration, and education across the Sierra Nevada.
The Sierra Streams 30th Anniversary Science Fest will transform Pioneer Park into an outdoor hub of discovery, where families, students, and community members can explore interactive exhibits designed to spark curiosity about the natural world. Inspired by the hands-on spirit of science, the event will feature engaging demonstrations that invite visitors to learn about rivers, forests, and ecosystems through direct experience.
Children and families will be able to collect aquatic insects from Little Deer Creek, examine them under microscopes, and learn how scientists study water quality and ecosystem health.
Interactive exhibits—including a flowing stream table and science activity stations—will help everyone to understand how watersheds function and why protecting them is essential for both environmental and community health.
Throughout the afternoon, musicians and artists will add to the festival atmosphere, celebrating the connection between science, creativity, and stewardship of the Sierra Nevada landscape. There will be food, beer, wine, and non alcoholic drinks available for purchase and families are also invited to picnic in the park.
For 30 years, Sierra Streams Institute has been dedicated to the most important aspects of environmental preservation—monitoring, examining, and understanding through science,” said Jeff Lauder, Executive Director. “This event is an opportunity to celebrate curiosity and the science that helps keep our rivers and streams healthy, while inspiring the next generation of environmental stewards.”
Founded in 1995 by a group of concerned citizens and scientists committed to monitoring Deer Creek, Sierra Streams Institute has grown into a regional leader in watershed science. The organization conducts long-term water quality monitoring, ecological research, forest restoration projects, and science education programs that serve students, volunteers, and communities throughout the Sierra Nevada.
Today, Sierra Streams’ work spans multiple watersheds, including Deer Creek, the Yuba River, the Bear River, and other waterways across Northern California and Nevada. Through rigorous data collection and community science initiatives, the organization provides critical information used by researchers, land managers, and local communities to protect water quality and ecosystem health.
A cornerstone of Sierra Streams’ mission is hands-on science education. Each year, the organization brings hundreds of students into the field to explore streams, collect samples, and learn how scientists measure environmental change. By connecting young people directly with nature and real scientific tools, these programs foster curiosity, environmental awareness, and a deeper understanding of local ecosystems.
The 30th Anniversary Science Fest will highlight this work while inviting the broader community to participate in the wonder of discovery.
The event is free and open to the public, making it accessible to families and community members of all ages. Our community will have the opportunity to meet local scientists, explore interactive exhibits, enjoy music and art, and learn how community science helps protect the Sierra Nevada’s rivers and forests.
By bringing together science, creativity, and community engagement, the event aims to inspire a shared commitment to protecting the region’s natural resources for future generations.
For more information about the event or Sierra Streams Institute’s work, visit
www.sierrastreamsinstitute.org.
About Sierra Streams Institute
Sierra Streams Institute is a nonprofit research and education organization dedicated to understanding and protecting the watersheds of the Sierra Nevada. Through long-term environmental monitoring, ecological restoration, and community science programs, the organization works to ensure healthy rivers, forests, and ecosystems for both people and wildlife.