WaterLife Discovery Center

WaterLife Discovery Center - StreamWindow

The WaterLife Discovery Center is a habitat education and interpretive area on the shores of the Pend Oreille River near Sandpoint, Idaho. It a self guided educational center that combines a fish hatchery, nature trails, overlook bridges, wildlife watching areas, interpretive signs, and underwater viewing opportunities along a stream and a pond. The classroom may be reserved for meetings and classes. It is a unique grassroots project that has taken many years of planning and development. As the physical improvements have taken shape on the river’s waterfront, we invite you to take a closer look and learn what the area offers.

The property consists of 3.5 acres of developed interpretive exhibits and a 6.5 acre forested wetland with trails and interpretive signs. This area is home to white-tailed deer, moose, muskrat, mink, and river otters. Birds are found in abundance. Bald eagles, osprey and waterfowl grace the river while woodpeckers and songbirds prefer the wetland forest.

Watch the underwater action from the amphitheater!

WaterLife Discovery Center Teachers Guide

This educational aid is available below in downloadable PDF format; as a full booklet and in sections for those of you who may have a slower internet connection.

Entire Guide
– [pages 1-51, 6.5 MB]
Welcome
– [pages 1-4, 245 KB]
Conservation
– [page 5, 24 KB]
Water Cycle
– [pages 6-9, 580 KB]

Succession
– [pages 28-33, 1.1 MB]
The Nutrient Cycle
– [pages 34-37, 627 KB]
Animal Evidence
– [pages 38-43, 850 KB]
Glossary
– [pages 44-51, 440 KB]

Wonderful Wetlands
– 10-13, 695 KB]
Biodiversity
– [pages 14-17, 1.2 MB]
Noxious Weeds
– [pages 18-21, 475 KB]
Wetlands and Wildlife
– [pages 22-27, 990 KB]

The Area Includes:

A living stream
A riparian trail with interpretive information
Exhibits
Fish identification information
Endangered species displays highlighting Bull Trout
Identification of plant species
Landscaping for wildlife

For more information, please contact:

      Idaho Fish and Game
     2885 Kathleen Avenue
     Coeur d’Alene, ID 83815
     (208) 769-1414

History of the WaterLife Discovery Center

The Sandpoint Fish Hatchery was built in 1909 by the Idaho Department of Fish and Game with partial funding from Bonner County sportsmen. The hatchery is located on the Pend Oreille River, near Sandpoint, Idaho.

Spring water from a neighboring property is piped underground to supply water for the hatchery and fish raceways. Because the water is too cold for efficient aquaculture, the hatchery has been used primarily as a summer redistribution facility for rainbow trout.

In the mid 1990s, Fish and Game met with concerned citizens and community groups to discuss options for the historic hatchery. The community wanted a place for people, young and old, to understand the role water plays in shaping our environment. They needed a place to promote environmentally sound stewardship of our water resources. The idea for an outdoor aquatic education center began to develop.

Today, a partnership between Idaho Fish and Game, the Idaho Fish and Wildlife Foundation, and the local community has created the WaterLife Discovery Center.

Mission

To host a self-guided educational facility providing an enjoyable outdoor recreational experience for people of all ages to better understand and appreciate the importance of water in nature.

The WaterLife Discovery Center’s unique exhibits will engage visitors, young and old, in direct discovery as they learn about Idaho’s fish, wildlife, wetlands and forests and the importance of conserving these natural resources. Inspiring responsible use and enjoyment of Pend Oreille is at the heart of the WaterLife Discovery Center’s mission.

The WaterLife Discovery Center provides a valuable resource for teachers, students, and families from northern Idaho, eastern Washington, and western Montana. The Center is becoming a place for students and families to connect with their natural world and ultimately learn about their own roles in nature. They will come to understand how their lifestyles and choices affect the world around them.

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