Eighteen educators from across Colorado, Nebraska, and Nevada convened for a River Ecology and Water Management courses during the 2nd annual Western Rivers Teacher Workshop during Western State Colorado University's Summer Teacher Institute in June 2018. 

• Never underestimate the power of giving your students a voice and a magnifying glass!
• I feel that this class was helpful to me by giving me more knowledge, ideas, and empowerment to lead students in outdoor science experiences myself.  I feel that this class gave me more tools that I could use to creatively teach many different science standards outdoors, particularly about rivers and streams.
• This course left me with more questions than answers, which is a very good thing from my social science perspective. The content and discussion will continue to inform the questions and perspectives I explore personally, as well as shape the strategies and activities I employ as an educator.
• I became a better observer by the sustained practice of looking closely and thoughtfully at my environment, but in this class I learned more about how to help my students become better observers.   
• The teaching strategies that were used in this class were good models of teaching strategies that I can use for my students who are learning English as a second language, whether in science or in another subject.  
• I think that what I learned in this class will help me better consider and articulate what all students need to be curious and inquisitive learners.
• I will remember that it is most important to instill an intrinsic love of learning and active curiosity,  rather than teaching students that their job as learners is to find a right answer.
• I feel I gained such new understanding about macro-invertebrates through the way Sarah intentionally led us through the process of exploring, observing, asking questions, making connections, discovering scientific mysteries, and making evidence based explanations...
• One of the most significant insights that I come away with is not only giving students time to observe the natural world but teaching them how to observe the natural world.
• My ways of teaching students about the river have changed after taking this class.
• The course made me think about our water differently and what I can do to help conserve and teach others about the importance of our water.
• After this course I have come to see that we live in an arid west and because of many things, water is being used up. I need to be even more intentional about the way I think about and use water.
• I will start with myself and thinking about how I can help. Then, I will teach my students the facts and encourage them to look past themselves and into the solution. One small stone thrown into a lake creates a ripple that continues over the surface of the lake. My goal is to create a lot of ripples because my students know the facts and have a heart to help.

• I felt the class (instructor) did an excellent job of bridging the gaps and providing valuable insights, resources, and activities for any type of teacher in any environment.
• Outstanding field trips and impressive, compelling speakers. Wow! 
• Instruction was intentionally well-modeled, engaging, and hands-on, providing many ready-to-go classroom activities, and a variety of resources and lesson ideas.
• The workshop has helped me realize how to make my classes student-centered.
• The workshop information was mostly appropriate for students I teach and I felt I left with projects I could use immediately (mapping water basins, relief maps, buckets, vocabulary list, and a deeper understanding of local water issues).
• The class is so applicable to living here in southern Nevada.
• Excellent use of pedagogy, content, and discussion! VERY applicable for teachers!
• I really enjoyed all aspects of the class, even those that I didn't see a direct path for what I teach. It was nice to participate with a group of experienced teachers and hear their perspectives on the activities and lessons we learned.
• This class emphasized the process of science and the need for curiosity in learning.
• I'm looking forward to showing the kids the story map program so that they can use it in the class.

a project of  Extended Studies Summer Teacher Institute

River Ecology Course (3 days)
Monday-Wednesday June 18-20, 2018, 2 credit course: $260; additional $10 course fee
During this interdisciplinary field-based course, participants will explore the three major components of a river ecosystem: aquatic life, water quality, and riparian habitat. Field experiences include field trips to local riverside parks, Roaring Judy Fish Hatchery, and Curecanti National Recreation Area.

Water Management Course (2 days)
Thursday-Friday June 21-22, 2018, 1 credit course: $150; additional $10 course fee
During this interdisciplinary field-based course participants will explore western water management, water law, and watershed geography. Field experiences include a Blue Mesa Dam and Hydropower Plant tour and Taylor Reservoir tour.

Insiders Tips
1. If you sign up with a group everyone gets a discounted rate, the bigger the group the larger the discount for all. 
2. Western State makes the dormitories available during the workshops at a very affordable rate for lodging. 
3. Come and stay all week for both classes and then enjoy the Gunnison River Festival at the end of the week. 

Wild Rose Education coordinated this 2nd annual bioblitz in collaboration with the Colorado Natural Heritage Program and the landowner John Powers.

The first annual Gunnison River Teacher Institute was a success! Western State Colorado University's Extended Studies Program and the Colorado Water Workshop collaborated to create the teacher institute.  Teachers participated from the Gunnison, South Platte, and Arkansas Basins. Through many hands-on interactive activities they learned how to incorporate watershed thinking into their curriculum to create relevant context and connections for their students.

The fast paced week long rigorous 3 graduate credit course included  tools for teaching western water management, river ecology, fisheries, and geography of the Colorado River Basin.  Field experiences included a hike to Morrow Point Reservoir and up East Elk Creek with Curecanti National Recreation Area, Roaring Judy Fish Hatchery tour, Spring Creek river ecology field day with Colorado Parks and Wildlife and Colorado Trout Unlimited, tour of Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory, whitewater rafting on the Taylor River, and a visit to Coldharbour Ranch.

The second half of the week teachers participated in the 42nd annual Colorado Water Workshop conference engaging with water resource professionals from across Colorado learning about current water issues and innovative management strategies. Participating in the Gunnison River Festival was also included throughout the week including water trivia night, live music, and a celebration at the Gunnison Whitewater Park.

• This course has motivated me to go from wanting to learn more about my own back yard to the actually doing.
• Another thanks for sharing your knowledge and expertise. The class was wonderful.
• Great info, speakers and field trips! 
• Well thought out and planned. visiting Coldharbour was the perfect mix of "think" and "brain break" activities. So enjoyable!   Wow, I soaked in and thoroughly enjoyed the entire workshop. I wish we had more time to delve deeper. I look forward to building on to the new knowledge through possible future workshops.
• I will use activities learning during the workshop in lesson plans for MS. Interdependent Relationships in Ecosystems.
• I will make my lessons more relative to CO water
• I want more ‘at the river’ experiences
• I am in Alaska now and much more observant of my surroundings because of the class.
• I feel that everything was well planned out and packed to overflowing in order to get as much out of the course as possible; and I was still left wanting more. Maybe a two week course with more hands on projects to help solidify learning? 
• The workshop was attended primarily for personal gain to broaden my general watershed knowledge. The information will be very useful as I become more involved in school and community projects regarding water. This course has encouraged and motivated me to want to be a more inquisitive person regarding my surroundings. I am so EXCITED to use the new skills learned to "play" in my own backyard. Thank you for that!

View all story maps created by teacher participants and their feedback. 

The 2018 River Teacher Institute planning is underway and details will be announced in January 2018. Sign up here to get information about upcoming workshop details. 

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Environmental Issues Forums (EIF) provide tools, training, and support for engaging adults and students in meaningful, productive discussions about sticky issues that affect the environment and communities.  -NAAEE, 2016
 
Beginning in November 2015, three members of the Colorado Alliance for Environmental Education (CAEE) worked with fellow environmental educators across the country, the Kettering Foundation, and the North American Association for Environmental Education to create a framework for deliberation on national and state-specific water issues. The team included Sarah Johnson of Wild Rose Consulting, Kellie Gorman of Yampatika, and Hillary Mason of CAEE.  In May 2016, the Colorado team tested their draft Colorado framework with two test forums where high school and college-level stakeholders engaged in deliberative decision-making processes focused around water availability across the state. A comprehensive test forum report was produced to contribute to further developing the Colorado Water Issues Deliberation Framework. The team's work culminated in September 2016 with the completion of a deliberative forum guide for navigating Colorado water quantity issues in high school and post-secondary learning environments. 
 
The Colorado team is presenting the new deliberation framework at the October 2016 Western Slope Environmental Education Conference in Ridgway, Colorado. They will also be part of a panel presentation at the North American Association for Environmental Education's annual conference in Madison, Wisconsin in mid October 2016 where they will share the results of the test forums and the final published deliberation framework. 

Download a free pdf of the Colorado Water Availability Deliberative Forum Guide to use with high school and post-secondary learning environments, and click here for  more information about Environmental Issues Forums. 

​Environmental Issues Forums (EIF) provide tools, training, and support for engaging adults and students in meaningful, productive discussions about sticky issues that affect the environment and communities.  -NAAEE, 2016

In May 2016, three CAEE members joined fellow environmental educators across the country at the Kettering Foundation Semi-Annual Learning & Research Exchange. Over the course of three days, educators came together to create a framework for deliberation on national and state-specific water issues. The Colorado team presented a full report from two test forums where high school and college-level stakeholders engaged in deliberative decision-making processes focused around water distribution in Colorado.The report will contribute to a national Water Issue Guide prepared for the National Issues Forums Institute in collaboration with the Kettering Foundation and the North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE).The team's work will also culminate in a guidebook for navigating Colorado water quantity issues in high school and post-secondary learning environments.