Freshwaters Illustrated

SUPPORT OUR WORK - Help Us Expand Our Water Teachers Initiative!

Freshwaters Illustrated is a mission-driven nonprofit organization, and for the last 20 years, we have built the world’s largest archive of educational films and photos on freshwater ecosystems. Now, we’ve tailored this resource for K-12 teachers with:

🎬 Free access to our full film catalog—exclusive features and classroom versions

📘 Educator Guides with standards, vocabulary, careers, and activities

📸 Hundreds of captivating still images

🗞️ Monthly newsletter with content ideas and lesson plans

🎓 Free workshops and additional resources

Our initiative has already empowered over 300 educators. With your help, we aim to DOUBLE our impact by adding two new AmeriCorps VISTA Members in key regions – Southern Appalachia and the Pacific Northwest.

Thanks to our Board, we have a $10,000 donation challenge to meet by September 22, . Every donation counts! Click the link in our bio to invest in a future where more students connect with the wonders of water.🌍💧



Photo 1: A young salmon soars over a large aggregation of Dicosmoecus caddisflies in a Northwest river.

Photo 2: The prelude to a territorial dispute between two male Redline Darters.

Photo 3: A massive swarm of brightly colored Tennessee Dace swirls below the surface of a Southeastern stream.

Photos by / Freshwaters Illustrated

FROM THE ARCHIVE - A Hellbender headlock! Every fall, male Hellbenders, North America’s largest salamander, compete with each other for access to streambed breeding territories and mates. Their arms aren’t much in the way of weaponry, so Hellbenders use their powerful jaws to nip, bite, yank, and roll their rivals out of their territory. The winners of these battles earn rights to nesting dens, where eggs are laid… and the losers often continue to test other males.

To learn more about Hellbenders, check out our short film The Last Dragons - Preserving Appalachia’s Hellbenders at https://youtu.be/GK-Iwlkq2bY.

Browse, purchase, and print this and hundreds of other freshwater images at the Freshwater Archive - www.freshwaterarchive.org.

Become an FI Member for full educational access to the Freshwater Archive and film catalog (link in bio). Freshwaters Illustrated is a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising awareness of freshwater ecosystems and biodiversity.

Photo by / Freshwaters Illustrated

Special UPRIVER Film Screening! Oregon friends - come watch the feature film on Thursday, Aug 22, in Salem, Oregon as part of the Stream Celebration hosted by Mid Willamette Outreach .marion.or

Family-friendly fair from 4-7pm
Film screening 7-8:30pm

Pringle City Park
606 Church St SE, Salem, OR 97301

Learn more and RSVP at:
https://www.marionswcd.net/event/stream-celebration/

FROM THE (CH)ARCHIVE - The Bull Trout, native to the Northwestern US and Canada, is actually a char, and more closely related to brook trout and lake trout than the cutthroat and rainbow trout it often coexists with. In addition to being a coldwater specialist, Bull trout are top predators in their aquatic food webs and can grow to over 3 feet long. For this reason, they are particularly vulnerable to overfishing, which is partially responsible for the population declines and extirpations that have occurred in much of their range. Bull trout are a threatened species in the US.

To learn more about Bull Trout and conservation efforts to , watch our short film, Clackamas Complete - A Return of Bull Trout at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p1v45iLRVEo&list=PLtcEAk1jUcPFzDm366sv0gfaGhKDHpToC&index=11.

Browse, purchase, and print this and hundreds of other freshwater images at the Freshwater Archive - www.freshwaterarchive.org.

Become an FI Member for full educational access to the Freshwater Archive and film catalog (link in bio). Freshwaters Illustrated is a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising awareness of freshwater ecosystems and biodiversity.

Photo by / Freshwaters Illustrated

FROM THE ARCHIVE - A pair of American toads (Anaxyrus americanus) mate and deposit eggs in a backwater of a Southern Appalachian stream. The eggs, numbering in the thousands, are laid in a pair of strings and will hatch in 3-12 days. Like most amphibians, these eggs will hatch into an aquatic larvae that will eventually mature and migrate onto land.

To learn more about amphibians, check out our short films Protecting Oregon Spotted Frogs in Washington at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3xWRFW4tMw and March of the Newts at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AMz6pEHwX78&t=3s.

Browse, purchase, and print this and hundreds of other freshwater images at the Freshwater Archive - www.freshwaterarchive.org.

Become an FI Member for full educational access to the Freshwater Archive and film catalog (link in bio). Freshwaters Illustrated is a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising awareness of freshwater ecosystems and biodiversity.

Photo by / Freshwaters Illustrated

FROM THE ARCHIVE - A Sonora Mud Turtle (Kinosternon sonoriense) sits amongst a school of Roundtail Chub (Gila robusta) in a Southwestern Creek. This turtle species is only found in the deserts of northern Mexico and the southwestern United States. Although primarily an aquatic species, individuals will sometimes travel over land to reach new bodies of water.

Browse, purchase, and print this and hundreds of other freshwater images at the Freshwater Archive - www.freshwaterarchive.org.

Become an FI Member for full educational access to the Freshwater Archive and film catalog (link in bio). Freshwaters Illustrated is a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising awareness of freshwater ecosystems and biodiversity.

Photo by / Freshwaters Illustrated

CALLING ALL WATER TEACHERS - Learning is a lifelong endeavor… but we all need someone to help us dive into new subjects. Here, snorkel guide, Casper Cox, shares his freshwater wisdom and passion with a snorkeling group on the Conasauga River in Tennessee. As part of this US Forest Service program, Casper has helped teach many school teachers and youth leaders who have been able to share the wonders of the river with students of their own.

K-12 Teachers - get free educational access to films and teaching resources through our Water Teachers program - sign up for free at www.waterteachers.org

To learn more about engaging youth through snorkeling, watch our short film A Deeper Creek - The Watchable Waters of Appalachia - https://youtu.be/iTSIQstX7nY.

Browse, purchase, and print this and hundreds of other freshwater images at the Freshwater Archive - www.freshwaterarchive.org.

Become an FI Member for full educational access to the Freshwater Archive and film catalog (link in bio). Freshwaters Illustrated is a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising awareness of freshwater ecosystems and biodiversity.

Photo by / Freshwaters Illustrated

FROM THE ARCHIVE - Come at me!! In biologically diverse waters like this Ozark spring stream, crayfish and fish, like these Bluegill (Lepomis macrochirus) often find themselves at odds. During the spawning season, crayfish can intrude on sunfish nests to prey upon the eggs of inattentive parents. But they need to watch their back, as larger sunfish species, like Smallmouth Bass, will take their turn as predator… and crayfish are one of their favorite meals.

Browse, purchase, and print this and hundreds of other freshwater images at the Freshwater Archive - www.freshwaterarchive.org.

Become an FI Member for full educational access to the Freshwater Archive and film catalog (link in bio). Freshwaters Illustrated is a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising awareness of freshwater ecosystems and biodiversity.

Photo by / Freshwaters Illustrated

FROM THE ARCHIVE - Pink Salmon (Oncorhynchus gorbuscha) are one of five species of Pacific salmon native to North America. When it is time to spawn, these fish transform from a bright chrome color to shades of cream, pink, and olive. Males will also develop a prominent hump on their back which can easily distinguish them from females. This conspicuous trait [ANYTHING WE CAN SAY/SPECULATE ABOUT FUNCTION OF THE HUMP HERE?] and gives the species its other common name “humpies.”

To learn more about the life cycle of Pacific salmon, watch our short film SMOLT - https://youtu.be/m0NJyj5b3BA.

Browse, purchase, and print this and hundreds of other freshwater images at the Freshwater Archive - www.freshwaterarchive.org.

Become an FI Member for full educational access to the Freshwater Archive and film catalog (link in bio). Freshwaters Illustrated is a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising awareness of freshwater ecosystems and biodiversity.

Photo by / Freshwaters Illustrated

FROM THE ARCHIVE - Here, fishy-fishy! A Wavy-rayed Lampmussel (Lampsilis fasciola) flashes its fish-like lure to attract a predatory Smallmouth Bass (Micropterus dolomieu). If she is successful, the hungry bass will attack the lure and release a cloud of larval mussels called glochidia, which will attach to the fish’s gills, fins, and skin, draw some nutrients, and be carried off to disperse into new habitats.

To learn more about freshwater mussels, watch a clip from our feature film Hidden Rivers of Southern Appalachia - https://youtu.be/Zs-1OZ79xrI.

Browse, purchase, and print this and hundreds of other freshwater images at the Freshwater Archive - www.freshwaterarchive.org.

Become an FI Member for full educational access to the Freshwater Archive and film catalog (link in bio). Freshwaters Illustrated is a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising awareness of freshwater ecosystems and biodiversity.

Photo by / Freshwaters Illustrated

Two opportunities to join the FI team and help strengthen our outreach and share our immersive content with more communities and learners. Apply soon!

Find details and application instructions at:
https://www.freshwatersillustrated.org/jobs
[or see jobs link in bio]

CALLING ALL WATER TEACHERS - There’s nothing better than getting students out on the water! While it may not be possible to send every student through the Grand Canyon like those featured on this trip, there are public lands and waters across the US that offer opportunities for field trips and experiential learning around the wonders of water and the value of aquatic ecosystems.

K-12 Teachers - get free educational access to films and teaching resources through our Water Teachers program - sign up for free at www.waterteachers.org

To learn more about youth engagement on the water, watch our short film What You Take Away - A Colorado River Reflection at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fvxUJXSRUTM

Browse, purchase, and print this and hundreds of other freshwater images at the Freshwater Archive - www.freshwaterarchive.org.

Become an FI Member for full educational access to the Freshwater Archive and film catalog (link in bio). Freshwaters Illustrated is a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising awareness of freshwater ecosystems and biodiversity.

Photo by / Freshwaters Illustrated

FROM THE ARCHIVE - Florida is home to over two dozen first-magnitude springs (springs that discharge over 100 cubic feet of water per second). These waters provide habitat for fish, birds, turtles, plants, insects, and more. Many, including Alexander Springs (pictured), which is part of the Ocala National Forest, also serve as recreation areas open to the public, with clear waters that are perfect for snorkeling and wildlife viewing.

Browse, purchase, and print this and hundreds of other freshwater images at the Freshwater Archive - www.freshwaterarchive.org.

Become an FI Member for full educational access to the Freshwater Archive and film catalog (link in bio). Freshwaters Illustrated is a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising awareness of freshwater ecosystems and biodiversity.

Photo by / Freshwaters Illustrated

FROM THE ARCHIVE - They say no Goodeid goes unnoticed, so please take a good look! The freshwater fish family Goodeidae contains around 50 species, with most occurring in Mexico and a few distributed in isolated habitats in America’s Great Basin. Because of their limited ranges, many Goodeids, including these Endangered White River Springfish (Crenichthys baileyi), are species of conservation concern.

Browse, purchase, and print this and hundreds of other freshwater images at the Freshwater Archive - www.freshwaterarchive.org.

Become an FI Member for full educational access to the Freshwater Archive and film catalog (link in bio). Freshwaters Illustrated is a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising awareness of freshwater ecosystems and biodiversity.

Photo by / Freshwaters Illustrated

CALLING ALL WATER TEACHERS - Our backyard waters hold wonders untold!
Across the country, emphasis is being put on experiential learning and getting students outside. National Forests offer great opportunities to engage young learners and teach them about the value of managing lands for ecosystem and watershed values.

K-12 Teachers - get free educational access to films and teaching resources through our Water Teachers program - sign up for free at www.waterteachers.org

To learn more about engaging youth through snorkeling, watch our short film A Deeper Creek - The Watchable Waters of Appalachia at www.freshwatersillustrated.org/a-deeper-creek

Browse, purchase, and print this and hundreds of other freshwater images at the Freshwater Archive - www.freshwaterarchive.org.

Become an FI Member for full educational access to the Freshwater Archive and film catalog (link in bio). Freshwaters Illustrated is a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising awareness of freshwater ecosystems and biodiversity.

Photo by / Freshwaters Illustrated

FROM THE ARCHIVE - The deserts of the American Southwest contain some of the greatest reptile diversity in the country. Places like Grand Canyon National Park are home to species like this Pink Rattlesnake (Crotalus oreganus abyssus). Although rattlesnakes may dwell far from the water, the food webs they rely on are driven by the precious water that flows through these landscapes.

Browse, purchase, and print this and hundreds of other freshwater images at the Freshwater Archive - www.freshwaterarchive.org.

Become an FI Member for full educational access to the Freshwater Archive and film catalog (link in bio). Freshwaters Illustrated is a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising awareness of freshwater ecosystems and biodiversity.

Photo by / Freshwaters Illustrated

FROM THE ARCHIVE - Western Toads (Anaxyrus boreas) breed in alpine lakes and ponds throughout the western US. These events can start in open waters as early as January and continue through July in some locations. When tadpoles emerge from the water and migrate into the surrounding forests they act as an important source of nutrient transfer between aquatic and terrestrial systems.

To learn more about Northwest amphibians, check out our short films Protecting Oregon Spotted Frogs in Washington at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t3xWRFW4tMw and March of the Newts at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AMz6pEHwX78&t=3s.

Browse, purchase, and print this and hundreds of other freshwater images at the Freshwater Archive - www.freshwaterarchive.org.

Become an FI Member for full educational access to the Freshwater Archive and film catalog (link in bio). Freshwaters Illustrated is a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising awareness of freshwater ecosystems and biodiversity.

Photo by / Freshwaters Illustrated

CALLING ALL WATER TEACHERS - Rivers, lakes, and other freshwater systems are great places to learn outside of the classroom. They offer opportunities to explore hidden worlds, full of amazing creatures. Here, river guide and educator, Steph Jackson, works with a student to sample insects in a tributary to the Colorado River as part of a citizen science monitoring team.

K-12 Teachers - get free educational access to films and teaching resources through our Water Teachers program - sign up for free at www.waterteachers.org

To learn more about youth engagement on the water, watch our short film What You Take Away - A Colorado River Reflection at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fvxUJXSRUTM

Browse, purchase, and print this and hundreds of other freshwater images at the Freshwater Archive - www.freshwaterarchive.org.

Become an FI Member for full educational access to the Freshwater Archive and film catalog (link in bio). Freshwaters Illustrated is a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising awareness of freshwater ecosystems and biodiversity.

Photo by / Freshwaters Illustrated

AMPHIBIAN WEEK - Take a look at our newest film - Friends of the Frogpool Lane - that follows the migration of frogs and salamanders, along with a group of neighborhood stewards who make sure these amphibians get to where they're going. Link in bio.

Produced in Partnership with Schuykill Highlands Conservation Partners. Learn more about conservation in the Schuylkill at www.schuylkillwaters.org

https://www.freshwatersillustrated.org/frog-friends

FROM THE ARCHIVE - The playful Amargosa Pupfish (Cyprinodon nevadensis) is one of several species of pupfishes found across the Southwestern United States and Mexico. Many species of pupfishes are endemic to only a few isolated desert springs and, like islands, these unique populations are each on their own evolutionary trajectory. This remarkable diversity is a product of limited aquatic habitat in an otherwise arid environment… the same scarcity that drives intense agricultural and urban water development in the region. Fortunately, the Amargosa Pupfish is one of many pupfishes that have been safeguarded by land, water, and species protection in the Western US.

Browse, purchase, and print this and hundreds of other freshwater images at the Freshwater Archive - www.freshwaterarchive.org.

Become an FI Member for full educational access to the Freshwater Archive and film catalog (link in bio). Freshwaters Illustrated is a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising awareness of freshwater ecosystems and biodiversity.

Photo by / Freshwaters Illustrated

World Water Day x Women's History Month - Take a few minutes to immerse in our newest film, Judy's Creek, which celebrates the world of aquatic insects and their role in freshwater ecosystems, while spotlighting one of our science heroes, Dr. Judy Li, of . Produced in Partnership with and .s.forestservice .

Watch the film at:
https://www.freshwatersillustrated.org/judys-creek..or at our YouTube channel: www.youtube.com/

Pictured: (1) Dicosmoecus caddisfly larvae graze streambed stones in a coastal Oregon stream while a young Coho salmon looks for less crunchy prey. (2) Stream ecologist, Dr. Judy Li, samples aquatic insects in a coastal Oregon stream with a pair of boots and a dipnet. Photo by

Find Judy's books at www.osupress.oregon state.edu. Special thanks to Peg Herring for artwork!

NEW HIDDEN RIVERS EVENTS, including Asheville, NC - Come see us! Here's the updated schedule for our upcoming Hidden Rivers events in TN, NC, and VA. Most events are free - some require registration. Filmmakers and special guests in attendance.

Friday, 3/15, 7pm, Clayton-Bradley Academy, Maryville, TN - https://payit.nelnet.net/form/EVDSLU79

Saturday, 3/16, 1pm, Hidden Rivers - Charles Hall Museum, Tellico Plains, TN - https://www.facebook.com/events/s/hidden-rivers-discover-tellico/3367837730184910/?mibextid=9l3rBW

Sunday, 3/17, 5:30pm - Wedge Brewing Foundry in the Cloud Room - Asheville, NC - FREE

Monday, 3/18 - Local K-12 school events, Asheville/Brevard

Tuesday, 3/19 - Museum of Life & Science, Durham, NC - INVITED

Thursday, 3/21 - Wayne Theater, Waynesboro, VA - https://www.waynetheatre.org/event/hidden-rivers-of-southern-appalachia-film

March film tour featuring Hidden Rivers of Southern Appalachia and Judy's Creek!

Come see us in West Virginia, East Tennessee, North Carolina, and Virginia. Most events are free - some require registration. Filmmakers and special guests in attendance.

3/9, 1pm, Judy's Creek - American Conservation Film Festival - Frank Center for the Arts, Shepherd University, Shepherdstown, WV - https://conservationfilmfest.org/judys-creek/

3/13, 6pm, Hidden Rivers - Town Hall, Townsend, TN - https://hiddenriversatcityhall.rsvpify.com/?securityToken=Ch9tPc1psgHeEgxDqWw0BRPCqSRkZ5EJ

3/15, 7pm, Hidden Rivers - Clayton-Bradley Academy, Maryville, TN - https://payit.nelnet.net/form/EVDSLU79

3/16, 1pm, Hidden Rivers - Charles Hall Museum, Tellico Plains, TN - FREE

3/19 (time TBA) - Hidden Rivers - Museum of Life & Science, Durham, NC - https://www.lifeandscience.org/explore/events/

3/21 - Hidden RIvers, Wayne Theatre, Waynesboro, VA - https://www.waynetheatre.org/event/hidden-rivers-of-southern-appalachia-film

HOLIDAY PRINT SALE CONTINUES - Use code HOLIDAY2023 for 25% off all prints and canvas wraps. Choose from our online gallery of over 100 immersive images, hand picked by . Perfect for gifts. Unlimited discounted purchases - all purchases support our work. Gallery link in bio.

Minnesota Friends - Come see UPRIVER at the The Main Cinema next Tuesday, 12/5/23, along with local conservation organizations and panel.

Join Freshwater Society, the University of Minnesota College of Biological Sciences and the Mississippi Watershed Management Organization on Tuesday, Dec. 5, at The Main Cinema for a free showing of UPRIVER: A Watershed Film.

This fantastic documentary explores one of the nation's most active movements on Oregon's Willamette River. Tickets are free, and seating is limited! For details, follow the link on our homepage or visit: https://mspfs.info/UpriverFilm

HOLIDAY PRINT SALE - Use code HOLIDAY2023 for 25% off all prints and canvas wraps through 12/31/2023. Whether you’re gift shopping or looking to add a splash of color to your home or workplace, choose from our online gallery of over 100 immersive images, hand picked by .
All purchases support our nonprofit mission.

Use gallery link in bio.
https://www.freshwatersillustrated.org/featured-gallery

Pacific Northwest friends - check out the Wild Coast Film Festival this weekend (Nov 10-12) in Astoria, Oregon, featuring two of our short films on Northwest salmon and amphibians, and lots more!

https://www.wildcoastfilm.org/

Photos by

ARIZONA GOLD - The Apache Trout has become a native fish recovery story, thanks to the White Mountain Apache Tribe, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Arizona Fish and Game Department, USDA Forest Service, Trout Unlimited, and many other partners.

More info on today's proposed de-listing at:
https://www.fws.gov/press-release/2023-08/proposed-delisting-apache-trout

Look for more imagery and stories on Apache trout in the coming year, as we work with US Fish & Wildlife Service and the White Mountain Apache Tribe to shine light on the conservation work that has helped recover this special fish.

Corvallis friends - Come see a presentation of our feature film UPRIVER this Saturday morning (8/5) at the new Corvallis Museum.

UPRIVER is a 'watershed film' that follows some of the people and stories in the Willamette Valley's watershed conservation movement, including work by our neighbors in Greenbelt Land Trust, Marys River Watershed Council, Willamette Riverkeeper, Oregon State University, and many more - www.upriver.org

Learn more about bringing an FI event to your community at:
https://www.freshwatersillustrated.org/host-a-freshwaters-illustrated-event

https://bentoncountymuseums.org/events/upriver-a-film/

Upriver: A Film - Benton County Museums

ENDANGERED SPECIES DAY - "I find it amazing that a fish that’s as distinctive as a Snail Darter went undiscovered until the early 1970s" - Dr. David Etnier (1938-2023)

In 1973, a fish biologist named David Etnier discovered a fish in the Tennessee River system that was unknown to academic and conservation scientists: the Snail Darter. This little fish quickly became the center of one of the first battles of the federal Endangered Species Act, and of conservation efforts that continued for decades. 50 years later, we are celebrating the removal of Snail Darter from the Endangered Species list ... not only because of those conservation efforts, but because of scientists who kept their eyes open to detail, discovery, and the intricacy of our living world. Thank you, Dr. Etnier, and to all those who carry that same curiosity and care for biodiversity and the species that share this planet.