EDUCATION PROGRAMS FOR
2010-2011
Watershed Explorers Program
Solano
County third grade classes can explore their watershed in Lynch Canyon or along
Blue Rock Springs Creek in Hanns Park in
The Watershed Explorers Program. This free program utilizes science and
place-based learning to build awareness and understanding of how storm water
affects the unique ecosystems of local creeks and watersheds and how peoples’
behavior plays an important role in watershed health.
The
program centers on a four-hour field trip and is led by professional
environmental educators from Solano and Suisun Resource Conservation Districts.
Students take a two-mile hike, participating in field discussions and
activities. At the end of the program,
students have a greater awareness of the outdoor, natural world in their
watershed.
Students who participate in our
program learn about:
- the
difference between native and non-native plants
- the
significance and methods of seed dispersal
- the
pollinator species their watershed is habitat to
- the
impact of storm water;
- how to
be a better steward in their watershed.
Pre-field
trip, in-class lessons are available for teachers to prepare students for the
fullest experience during the field trip.
Suisun Marsh Education
Program
The
County’s sixth & seventh graders can take part in the Suisun Marsh Education Program funded by Solano County Water
Agency. The cornerstone of the program is a full-day field trip at Solano Land
Trust’s Rush Ranch Nature Center. Students participate in a poster session on
endangered species, threatened species, and species of concern. Students then
rotate through three stations centered on the topics of soil, water, and
plants. After lunch, students take a
nature hike through the marsh, finding a perfect spot to write nature poetry or
draw. Following the field trip, students solidify what they’ve learned and
experienced with a learning review and an evaluation exercise. Students prepare
for the field trip with three pre-field trip classroom lessons presented by
environmental educators from Solano and Suisun RCD.
Blue Rock Springs Creek
Biomonitoring Program
High
school students take an active role in monitoring the biological health of the
watershed in the Blue Rock Springs Creek
Biomonitoring Program funded by Vallejo Sanitation and Flood Control
District. This placed-based, hands-on program is in its third year of
collecting data on the creek. In a three-month period, in-class presentations
and activities help students understand the relevance of stream ecology and
watershed science. Background science discussions, mapping activities,
macroinvertebrate identifications, and a watershed walk help to reinforce the
lessons. During the walk students meander through the corridor and discuss
storm water runoff, land use, non-native plants, and stream ecology. This
prepares students for their field research project where they will perform
biological, physical, and chemical assessments along Blue Rock Springs Creek.
The
concepts in all K-12 education programs are directly linked to the California
State Science Content Standards and the programs offers local students, many of
whom have little or no experience being in open space settings, a concrete,
experiential introduction to their watershed and the creatures that inhabit it.
Lake Berryessa Boater
Outreach Program
Solano
RCD also coordinates the Lake Berryessa Watershed Partnership. Each summer the
partnership hires two Watershed Outreach Interns who manage the Summer Boater Outreach
Program. They provide education to resort owners and recreationists about
threats to the lake’s water quality. The interns distribute filters that
prevent leakage of motor oil from boats into the lake. In 2009, the summer
interns spoke one-on-one with 1,360 people, distributed 1,800 bilge pads and
1,200 Lake Berryessa User Guides that proudly list all members of the
partnership and describe how visitors can best help protect and enjoy the lake.
Interns spread the word about current threats to the lake, like hydrocarbon
pollutants and invasive species, and underscore the need to protect the
waterway - one of California’s largest drinking water sources and the lifeblood
of job-producing industries of Solano County.
Coastal Cleanup Day
The 2009 Cleanup was a
huge success. In Solano County, the countywide volunteer count was the largest
ever with 2,728 volunteers. Those volunteers picked up 43,609 pounds of trash
and 4,794 pounds of recyclable materials, for a total of 48,403 pounds covering
84 miles in Solano County waterways. Clean-up events provide service
opportunities for everyone from local businesses, service clubs, churches and
youth groups to individuals and families who wanted to spend time improving the
environment at a fun, coordinated event.
Solano County’s
Department of Resource Management contracts with Solano RCD to coordinate the
CA Coastal Cleanup Day on the 3rd Saturday of September each
year. Due to Yom Kippur, the event will
be held Saturday, September 25th
in 2010.
Lake Solano Park Docent
Program & Solano County Educational Symposium
The
Lake Solano Park Docent Program began in August 2009. The program was created
with funding from a grant from the Solano County Fish and Wildlife
Propagation Funds. In addition to a docent-led interpretive program at Lake
Solano, the RCD will also be creating an Educational Symposium in May 2010 to
expand communication among environmental educators in the County and leverage
scarce resources as effectively as possible.