By Harry Looney and Mark Debord – June 2026

Over the course of three weeks in April, representatives of LACA, Lake Anna State Park, and Dominion Energy provided a “Meaningful Watershed Educational Experience” (MWEE) to high school students in the Albemarle County school systems. Approximately 800 students from Albemarle, Monticello and Western Albemarle High Schools attended sessions on water quality, native plant species and learning to fish. The sessions were held at the Ware’s Cove Picnic Area at the State Park.

MWEEs are investigative or experimental projects that engage students in thinking critically about watersheds. They combine classroom instruction with an outdoor experience in the watershed being studied. MWEEs are not intended to be quick, one-day activities; rather, they are extensive projects that allow students to gain a deep understanding of the issue or topic being presented.

Harry Looney, LACA’s Water Quality Chair, provided an overview of LACA’s comprehensive water quality monitoring programs, detailing how routine testing and data collection are vital for protecting the long-term health of the Lake Anna watershed.

A major highlight of the water quality station was our focus on benthic macroinvertebrate monitoring. To bring this biological indicator to life, students waded directly into the lake to conduct their own field sampling. After safely collecting samples from the shallow waters, the students worked together to categorize and identify the various macroinvertebrates they had found. This interactive exercise not only engaged the students in practical scientific methods but also gave them a clear, tangible understanding of how these tiny organisms serve as living barometers for the ecological health of our lake.

Mark DeBord, LACA’s Environmental Preservation Committee Chair, gave students an overview of native and invasive plants in the area and a quick guide to basic plant identification. He then led students on a walk along the shoreline to identify the native and invasive species growing there. Several students planted native species along the shoreline and in a cove near the picnic area.

In addition to the water quality and native and invasive plant activities, the MWEE event featured a station hosted by Lake Anna State Park, where dedicated park rangers taught students about the joys of fishing. The rangers provided hands-on instruction, guiding the students through the basics of casting, handling equipment, and understanding the aquatic life that calls the lake home. This engaging activity not only introduced many students to a rewarding outdoor hobby but also helped foster a deeper, more personal connection to the local ecosystem and the importance of responsible recreational practices.

The MWEE went over well with students and teachers. “We could not have asked for better partners. The collaboration between your teams and ours made this experience meaningful, engaging, and impactful in ways that go far beyond the classroom. It’s clear how much thought and dedication went into every part of the process”, said Shannon Todd Williams, Science Teacher at Albemarle High School, and coordinator for the event.

harry.looney@lakeannavirginia.org

mark.debord@lakeannavirginia.org