Are local teachers looking to engage youth in environmental issues that impact their community? MyRWA offers environmental education programs in-class and at our many field sites throughout the watershed year round. Our programming aligns with state learning standards and examines issues like stormwater pollution and water quality, river herring ecology, biodiversity, and climate change through a local lens. This winter, we are excited to share with students why chloride is a problem in our watershed by partnering with teachers to join the national Salt Watch campaign. We also plan to host a winter nature walk for families and community members at Belle Isle Marsh Reservation on February 18th in partnership with Friends of Belle Isle Marsh to share about the many migratory species that rely on this rare salt marsh habitat throughout the year.
As we look toward spring, we are gearing up to host more field trips with youth at our dam sites during the river herring migration season! In a two-hour long field experience, students sample aquatic macroinvertebrates, survey predatory birds, and see river herring at our fish ladders. This is a great opportunity that allows students to create new ties to their local environment while learning how to participate in real world science!
We are looking for volunteers to help facilitate these field experiences as well as other classroom programs throughout the year. If you are interested in supporting this work, we invite you to attend our first ever Educator Training Workshop on February 15th! This workshop will give a brief overview of the education program, teach attendees how to facilitate field activities, and allow for feedback. You can learn more about the workshop and RSVP at our calendar here: https://mysticriver.org/calendar/2023/2/15/myrwa-educator-training.
If you would like to host MyRWA in your classroom or want to learn more about our programs, please contact Watershed Educator Natalia Bayona at [email protected]. We are scheduling spring programs now!