The Mill River Wetland Committee (MRWC) is an award- winning nonprofit organization founded in 1967 to strengthen environmental education through the study of river basin systems. In the late 1960s and early 1970s, MRWC promoted purchase of open space along the Mill River in Fairfield, Connecticut, and took a leading role in the defense of endangered wetlands. Concern for our environmental future prompted the launching of River-Lab, a unique hands-on program of environmental study for Grades 3-6 in all public schools in Fairfield. All elements of the program have been adopted and currently provide a third of the science curriculum. In consultation with educators and environmental experts, River-Lab provides classroom materials and activities for students, extensive training for volunteer study-trip guides, and professional development for teachers. At each grade level, classroom training is enhanced by study-trips to the Mill River and town estuaries. Each year, more than 320 volunteers guide over 3,500 young learners through more than 650 study-trips. The River-Lab program has evolved to become an environmental education experience for the entire community with far-reaching impact. At this time, funding is being requested to allow MRWC to continue to offer the River-Lab Program to the 6th graders of Fairfield. The curriculum and study trips are being updated to meet new state requirements. These changes require the MRWC to rewrite much of the curriculum, expand volunteer guide training, and purchase new equipment for study- trips. The objective of the update is to meet the new state requirements while still managing to provide the traditional river basin education with hands-on field experience on the Mill River.