The Lewis & Clark County Water Quality Protection District is holding the Lake Helena Watershed Festival Sept. 27 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Lewis & Clark County Fairgrounds 4-H Building.

The festival is for all ages and provides the opportunity to increase watershed awareness through hands-on activities, demonstrations, presentations and tours.

Water pollution can affect the use of water for drinking, household needs, recreation, fishing, transportation and commerce.

"The festival is a great opportunity to see work that is typically done in our area as it relates to our watershed," said Jennifer McBroom, Watershed & Community Outreach Coordinator, Lewis & Clark County Water Quality Protection District,

At 8 a.m., the Last Chance Audubon Society will lead an urban bird walk at the County Fairgrounds pond. Those participating in the bird walk should bring binoculars if they have them. The rest of the activities start at 10 a.m. at the Fairgrounds 4-H building with an opening welcome by County Commissioner, Ed Tinsley.

Kid-friendly activities include a student art display, building an edible aquifer, field trips, playing with bugs, dancing, and learning about local plants and wildlife habitat.

A grant from the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation and the Lewis and Clark Conservation District funded the festival.

For more information on the Watershed Festival, please call 457-8584.