This is an exciting opportunity for our Watershed Program AND it’s my first blog. Woo-hoo!
Our Watershed Education Initiative is being held in 4 schools (22 classes) in the WV Eastern Panhandle this year. We have conducted the program for 6 years (this is the 7th), but this year, thanks to WV FLOW, we are able to extend the program to a year in these schools. We will continue the existing program in the Spring of 2009 in 3-4 additional schools in Berkeley and Jefferson Counties. Our hopes are high that we will also be able to extend the program to schools in Morgan County.
The program is conducted in 4th grade and gives the students the opportunity to learn how their actions affect the Potomac River and the Chesapeake Bay. Among other activities, the students learn to test water for pH, DO, and temperature, and begin to identify macroinvertebrates. The year-long program this year will also encourage students to develop ways to reduce the amount of trash that they produce, which might also end up in the watersheds.
In one of our schools in Jefferson County, the students will also be collecting seeds and nuts for Growing Native and attempt to germinate the seeds this year. If they are successful, they will be growing walnut, hickory, dogwood, and paw paw seedlings. Wish us luck!