The Streamkeeper. - video recording reviews

Sierra, Nov-Dec, 1997 by Lisa Gross

Adopt-A-Stream Foundation, $19.95 (425) 316-8592

Protecting streams seems like child's play in the hands of Bill Nye "The Science Guy" as he guides us through this frolicsome introduction to watershed care.

Stressing that anyone can become a streamkeeper, Nye outlines a three-step approach: investigate, inventory and monitor, and take action. Taking us from mountaintops to forest floors to farmlands and even city streets--often via hilariously cheesy special effects--The Science Guy describes where streams come from and how they work. "If even one stream is destroyed," he warns, "it messes with the whole system."

Nye urges nascent streamkeepers to use local resources ranging from city hall to the state Fish and Wildlife Service to find out about a stream's history, native species, and current threats. If any animals or plants are missing, chances are the stream is contaminated, and it's a pretty safe bet that humans are to blame. Farming, pesticides, ranching, logging, dams, urban sprawl, and recreation all can have devastating impacts. But ever upbeat, Nye reminds us that even the simplest act--removing garbage from a stream and its banks--can help rehabilitate it.

Although the video is designed as a training tool to complement technical workshops for community groups, Nye's silly stunts and irreverent attitude add enough spice to hold kids' interest, too. He calls the ice-cube trays used to collect bugs from the stream "macro-invertebrate sorting devices, or MSDs, to the scientists and government agencies who pay $500 apiece for 'em." Thanks to Nye's ardor, viewers will learn that they can help restore their watershed and have fun doing it.