Guyotaku Workshops
Over the fall and winter months, the Pigeon Creek Watershed Association connected with community members through a series of hands-on Gyotaku workshops held at the Monongahela Library, Ringgold High School, Bentleyville Library, and Donora Library. These workshops brought together art, science, and environmental education in a unique and engaging format.
We were especially grateful to partner with Aura from the Monongahela Library, whose collaboration and support helped make these workshops a success.
Gyotaku is a traditional Japanese method of fish printing that dates back to the 1800s, when fishermen used it to record their catches. Today, it serves as both an artistic practice and an educational tool. Participants applied ink to fish and pressed them onto paper to create detailed prints, while also learning about fish anatomy and local aquatic species.
At each workshop, participants created prints using species native to Pigeon Creek, helping to build awareness of the biodiversity within the watershed. In addition to these native species, some participants explored their creativity by printing non-native species such as piranha.
During the workshops we shared findings from a recent local electrofishing survey, offering insight into the health and diversity of fish populations within the creek. We caught and released a total of 444 fish consisting of 23 different species. You can read more about previous electrofishing surveys here.
Seed Sharing Initiatives
In addition to the fish printing workshops, PCWA partnered with local libraries to support seed-sharing initiatives. Seeds were provided to the Monongahela Library during their “Harry Potter Week” and to the Bentleyville Library for their “Seed Swap.” The selection included native species such as purple coneflower, swamp sunflower, prairie sunflower, swamp milkweed, butterfly weed, perennial hibiscus, and lanceleaf coreopsis, among others. Planting native species supports pollinators, improves habitat, and contributes to a healthier watershed overall.
Upcoming Volunteer Events
As we move into the spring and summer months, PCWA is preparing for several upcoming volunteer events focused on cleanup and stewardship.
Crackerjack Road Cleanup – April 25, 2026
Join us for a cleanup effort to remove litter and improve the health of the watershed. For more information see our Crackerjack Road Cleanup Facebook Event Page. To pre-register for this event, click here.
Trash Bash – May 16, 2026
Our annual Trash Bash brings volunteers together for a larger-scale cleanup event. For more information see our Trashbash Facebook Event Page. To pre-register for Trash Bash click here.
Cleanup with Allegheny CleanWays – August 20-22, 2026
Thank You!
We appreciate everyone who participated in our winter programming and those who continue to support PCWA. Community involvement plays a vital role in protecting and improving the Pigeon Creek watershed, and we hope to see many of you at upcoming events.
Contact Us
Phone: 724-705-7098 (ask for Jeffrey or Jennifer)
Email: info@pigeoncreekwatershed.org
Pigeon Creek Watershed Association 
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