Duck River Watershed Society Education Day — Tuesday, May 12, 2026, Old Stone Fort State Park The Duck River Watershed Society announced its first-ever Education Day, to be held Tuesday, May 12, 2026, at Old Stone Fort State Park in Manchester.

The Duck River Watershed Society (DRWS) works to protect and sustain the Duck River—a vital ecological, recreational, and economic resource in Middle Tennessee. Yet many students living within the watershed lack access to hands-on, place-based environmental science experiences that bring classroom lessons to life in the natural world around them.

Through engagement with educators, families, and community partners, DRWS has identified a strong need for curriculum-aligned outdoor education programs—and answered that call.

In response, DRWS developed the DRWS School Program, an immersive, experiencebased initiative designed for middle school students across the Duck River watershed. The program is made possible through partnerships with Coffee County Middle School, Tullahoma City West Middle School, the Tennessee Duck River Development Agency, and Old Stone Fort State Park.

Each program features handson water quality testing, aquatic life exploration, watershed ecology instruction, and meaningful discussions of realworld environmental challenges—and the solutions within reach.

The inaugural program will take place on May 12, 2026, beginning at 9:30 a.m., and will engage more than 250 sixth-grade students from Coffee County Middle School. Funding for this initial program has been generously provided by the Lillian Ashley Fund, the Dan and Margaret Maddox Fund, and the Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival. Our second event will be held in September in partnership with the Tullahoma West Middle School.

DRWS warmly invites members of the press to attend and cover this exciting event. Press credentials are required, and media representatives are asked to check in with Old Stone Fort State Park staff or DRWS volunteers upon arrival. Please note that this is a school-only event.