Watershed Detectives traditionally met after school at the Bennett Intermediate School in Boiceville for grades 4-6. This year in response to COVID-19, instead of being held on school grounds the program is offered at the Ashokan Center in nearby Olivebridge, NY. Eighteen students in grades 4-8 are participating. Holding the program at the Ashokan Center allows for good physical distancing between participants and access to the Ashokan Center’s numerous trails, streams, and forests for learning and discovery.
The program always featured outdoor learning during winter months with students bundled up to complete activities like stream monitoring and learning about winter habitats. This year, Watershed Detectives will spend as much time outdoors as possible and retreat to ventilated rooms inside when the weather is bad. While the location has changed, the same great programming is taking place where students learn about the importance of streams, watersheds, and riparian areas through hands-on activities. Each Detective has their own science activity tote with supplies for experiments and field observations.
“It has definitely been a challenge getting this year’s program up and running, but we have a solid plan in place in an effort to keep things running smoothly,” says Matt Savatgy, CCE Youth Educator and leader of the Watershed Detective’s Program. “The kids are really enjoying being together, outdoors with their friends, and are actively engaged in learning to become stewards for our watershed.”
Check out our online science series RU-vid playlist and on the web for more activities at ulster.cce.corn.... To learn more about the Ashokan Watershed Stream Management PRogram visit ashokanstreams.org.
The Watershed Detectives youth program in the Onteora Central School District is generously funded by the NYC Department of Environmental Protection, as part of the Ashokan Watershed Stream Management Program.
23 окт 2024
