Registration is open for H2O Water Network’s Spring 2026 Confluence, and the journey starts before you ever set foot on campus.
From May 1–16, H2O Water Network and Pennsylvania Master Naturalist invite you to kick things off with a Bioblitz — a community-wide push to document the biodiversity in your neighborhood, watershed, town, park, or schoolgrounds using the free iNaturalist app.
What’s a Bioblitz?
Using iNaturalist on your phone, upload observations of any living organism — plants, birds, insects, fungi, fish, you name it — and they’ll be added to the H2O Water Network Spring Bioblitz project. You’ll learn what’s living in the places you care about, and that data goes directly toward helping watershed groups, scientists, and conservation organizations better protect the region.
How to join:
- Create a free account at iNaturalist.org
- Download the app
- Register on our website to join the H2O Spring Bioblitz project
The project currently covers Beaver, Washington, Allegheny, Butler, and Lawrence counties in PA, plus Columbiana County (OH) and Hancock County (WV). Don’t see your county? Let us know — we’ll add it.
New to iNaturalist? Registered participants will receive a link to an introductory webinar to get you started.
Get your community involved. Have fun.
Then Come to the Confluence — May 29 at Geneva College
The bioblitz leads into a full day of connection, learning, and collaboration at H2O’s Spring Confluence at Geneva College in Beaver Falls, PA.
Here’s what’s on the agenda:
- Keynote: Dr. Sherri Mason — One of the leading researchers on microplastics pollution, Dr. Mason will address the growing threat of plastics in our waterways and what it means for the region.
- En-Roads Simulator (Pitt) — An interactive climate policy tool that lets you explore the real-world impact of decisions like electrifying transportation, pricing carbon, and reforming agricultural practices — and see how they affect energy, air quality, sea level, and more.
- Breakout Sessions — Deep dives on water issues from streams to tap, with experts and practitioners from across the network.
- Boatload of Knowledge — Join the crew as they share stories from the field and highlight projects happening throughout the watershed.
Meet the Experts — Bring your questions. This is your chance to sit down with researchers and discuss the challenges your organization actually faces.
