You can learn all about environmental issues that affect watersheds at the Chiques Creek Watershed Alliance's 2022 Watershed Expo. The event will be held at the Manheim Farm Show Complex, 502 Adele Ave., on Tuesday, June 7, from 5:30 to 8 p.m.

"We'll have a number of exhibitors, a rain barrel giveaway, live music, activities such as fish print T-shirt making and a water balloon launch, a fish shocking demonstration, a macroinvertebrates lesson at the creek by the county parks department, a food truck, and free ice cream and drinks compliments of Kreider Farms," said Steve Gergely, president of Chiques Creek Watershed Alliance.

Exhibitors will include Penn State Agriculture and Environmental Center, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, the Lancaster County Master Gardeners, Lancaster County Conservancy, and the Lancaster County Department of Parks and Recreation. Lancaster County Conservation District will have a spotted lanternfly display, and a wood duck display and beekeeping display will be featured, among other workshops and demonstrations.

"This year we are excited to be offering tours during the expo of the recent floodplain restoration project along Chiques in the adjacent Memorial Park," Gergely stated. "Representatives of RETTEW Associates, who designed the project, will be on hand to give tours and discuss the project. The project created additional floodplain volume, natural planting areas, as well as walking paths. We also recently completed a small seating area and plantings in the park as a memorial to Jim Benedict, one of our longtime members who passed away."

As Gergely explained, the event is an opportunity to showcase the importance of the local watersheds and promote the mission of the Chiques Creek Watershed Alliance. "We're a volunteer organization with a mission to promote good stewardship of the land within the Chiques Creek Watershed in order to protect and preserve the Chiques Creek for the present community and future generations," he said.

While the organization holds several outreach activities each year, the expo is its largest event and draws the most people, he noted. "It started off as a much smaller event that has grown over the years," he remarked. "The Manheim Farm Show has been very generous in allowing us to host the event in recent years. With the Chiques Creek right there, it's a perfect setting."

Above all, he said, the event is meant to provide a fun and informative evening for attendees. "It's a great opportunity to learn about things that local groups and organizations are doing to protect our waterways in a very hands-on environment," he commented. "In addition to the educational opportunities, it's a fun night out with live music, free ice cream, and activities for people of all ages."

Due to ongoing construction at Manheim Central High School, parking will be limited. Gergely suggested that people park in the Manheim Central Middle School parking lot, 261 White Oak Road, and take a short walk to the expo through a covered bridge. For more information on the event, search for "Chiques Creek Watershed Alliance" on Facebook or visit http://www.chiquescreekwatershed.com.