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News and Updates

Award for Excellence in EE Awarded to Youth Water Leadership Program

10/22/2020

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The Youth Water Leadership Program was selected and awarded a 2020 Award for Excellence in Environmental Education: Innovative EE Program from the Colorado Alliance for Environmental Education. 
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The Colorado Alliance for Environmental Education’s Awards Selection Committee is very impressed with the caliber of your work and wants me to convey their congratulations to you and everyone who helped make this program successful. Your program is certainly a positive environmental education model for other entities in the state. " 
- Katie Navin, Executive Director, CAEE
 The EE Awards Celebration event will be hosted virtually on November 5, 2020 at 11am-12pm. MST. All are invited!
Register today at caee.org.
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Press Release - EE Award Recipients 2020
File Size: 120 kb
File Type: pdf
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Educators Gain Community Action Project Tools to Use with Students

8/9/2019

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The Youth Water Leadership Program hosted the Community Action & Problem-Solving Process Teacher Workshop  facilitated by Earth Force and offered graduate credit from the Colorado School of Mines for over 15 educators at the Third Street Center in Carbondale, Colorado on August 5, 2019. Educators attended from Grand Junction, Cedaredge, Leadville, Aspen, Basalt, Carbondale, Parachute, and Glenwood Springs. 
This workshop helped me see the opportunity for supporting student voice opportunities."
One thing I want to remember from today is not to be afraid to reach out to community members. "
Participants were introduced to Earth Force’s award-winning Community Action and Problem Solving Process. The Earth Force Process is a six-step approach that combines the best of action civics, environmental education, and STEM to provide a framework of action for teachers seeking to engage students in hands-on community environmental action projects. This professional development gave educators the opportunity to understand how incorporating youth voice, student-driven inquiry, democratic decision-making and place-based authentic problem-solving into their classrooms prepares students for life-long environmental stewardship, civic engagement, and collaborative action. Participants gained a better understanding of how to engage students in learning that makes a difference, for students and communities. All were encouraged to participate in the upcoming Healthy Rivers Youth Water Summit and to publish their students' work on the Youth River Voices blog. 
​All this made possible by these generous 2019 Youth Water Leadership Program sponsors. 
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Educators Submerged in Western Rivers for a Week

7/1/2019

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​Fifteen educators from across Colorado convened for a River Ecology and Water in the West courses during the 3nd annual Western Rivers Teacher Workshops during the 2019 Western Colorado University's Summer Teacher Institute. In addition to five days of instruction in the field and classroom, participants learned to use ESRI story maps and Google My Maps to share special watershed topics and create walking field trip maps from their school. 
  • view Walking Field Trip Maps
  • view Watershed Topic Story Maps
Plans are underway for the 2020 Western Rivers Teacher Workshops at Western Colorado University. If you would like to be added to the educator alert email list, let us know, and we'll keep you up to date on upcoming registration deadlines.

River as Text: Ecology course

River Ecology course group
National Park Service park ranger gave us a history of Curecanti National Recreation Area
Studying aquatic macroinvertebrates
Our river classroom
conducting a stream flow survey
visiting Roaring Judy Fish Hatchery with Colorado Parks and Wildlife

Water in the West course

learning from Upper Gunnison Water Conservancy District at Taylor Park Reservoir
Water in the West course group
watershed map
using primary sources
Curecanti National Recreation Area ranger sharing management issues
learning from maps
thoughtful discussions
learning from Bureau of Reclamation about Blue Mesa Dam and Aspinal Unit
Feedback from participants:
  • There were many hands on activities and outdoor experiences to support the learning of concepts about watersheds and the appropriation of water in the west. The variety of guest speakers: Bureau of Reclamation, Taylor River User Group, and the National Park Rangers greatly enhanced my knowledge and understanding.
  • The topics were all relevant and and useful to K-12 teachers. I loved that the class was mostly field experiences.
  • I loved the other participants, being outside, and learning about River Ecology.
  • This course helped me understand the value of the river and how much demand it has.
  • It was informative, helpful for lesson planning and hands on.
  • Information and activities were well-organized. Hands-on experiences that can be directly applied to the classroom. Knowledgeable leadership.
  • It was an outstanding experience! Thank you for all of the work you put into making this workshop meaningful for the broad range of participants. That's not an easy thing to do.
  • Sarah did a great job with these classes. It is always a challenge to meet the needs of every participant but she did a great job accommodating everyone involved.
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Community Action & Problem-Solving Process Teacher Workshop

4/30/2019

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​Monday, August 5, 2019 8:00 am-4:30 pm
Third Street Center, Carbondale, Colorado
$20/participant 
Learn how to guide your 5th-10th grade students in:
  • Civic action
  • Project-based problem-solving
  • Environmental stewardship
  • Participating in upcoming Healthy Rivers Youth Water Summit
Already trained? Refresh your skills!
  • All materials included
  • Includes follow-up program implementation support for free
  • Continuing ed certificate awarded
  • Optional 0.5 graduate-level relicensure credit available for $40 (Colorado School of Mines)
  • Lunch is on us!
Sign up on Wait List
Join Wild Rose Education's Youth Water Leadership Program and Earth Force for a one-day educator professional development event! Participants will be introduced to Earth Force’s award-winning Community Action and Problem Solving Process. The Earth Force Process is a six-step approach that combines the best of action civics, environmental education, and STEM to provide a framework of action for teachers seeking to engage students in hands-on community environmental action projects. This professional development gives West Slope educators the opportunity to understand how incorporating youth voice, student-driven inquiry, democratic decision-making and place-based authentic problem-solving into their classrooms prepares students for life-long environmental stewardship, civic engagement, and collaborative action. Participants will gain a better understanding of how to engage students in learning that makes a difference, for students and communities.
 
Participating educators will receive an Earth Force Educator Guide to the Community Action and Problem-Solving Process, a TIPS Cards reference set, web-based classroom resources, and a digital archive. Earth Force in partnership with Wild Rose Education, provides trained educators ongoing teacher support from class visits to stakeholder outreach, at no cost. 

This workshop is made possible by these generous 2019 Youth Water Leadership Program sponsors. ​
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2019 Western Rivers Teacher Workshops

4/25/2019

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Monday - Friday, June 10-14, 2019
Western State Colorado University, Gunnison, Colorado

Utilize western rivers to meet interdisciplinary academic standards creating relevant place based context for your students.
​Register through the Extended Studies program. 
See last year's participant reflections, photos, and more here. 

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River as Text: Ecology (3 days)
Monday-Wednesday June 10-12, 2019, 2 credit course
Learn how to utilize rivers and riparian habitat as the context to meet your curriculum through observations, explorations, discussions, and journaling to create student-centered learning experiences. During this field-based course, participants will explore the three major components of a river ecosystem: aquatic life, water quality, and riparian habitat. Inter-disciplinary field experiences include field trips to local riverside parks, Roaring Judy Fish Hatchery, and Curecanti National Recreation Area. Participants will also create an online Google My Maps river field trip asset map for their school. Physical ability to walk across uneven terrain, stand for long durations, and carry equipment is highly suggested. ​

Water in the West (2 days)
​Thursday-Friday June 13-14, 2019, 1 credit course
Learn how to incorporate the complexities of water management in the West into your curriculum through cross-curricular field and classroom activities and routines. Using questioning, observing, and reflecting routines participants will explore western water management, water law, and watershed geography. Participants will also create an ESRI Story Map using online GIS tools to explore and explain water management concepts and corresponding geography more closely. Field experiences include a Blue Mesa Dam visit, a visit to Taylor Reservoir, and time at Gunnison Mountain Park. Physical ability to walk across uneven terrain and stand for long durations is highly suggested. 

Insiders Tips
1. If you sign up with a group by May 17 everyone gets a discounted rate, up to four people from your school district. 
2. Western State makes the dormitories available during the workshops at a very affordable rate for lodging. 
3. Childcare is available at the Tenderfoot Child and Family Development Center during the courses. 

2019.westernriversteacherworkshopflier.pdf
File Size: 849 kb
File Type: pdf
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Wild Rose Education to Present at Colorado Trout Unlimited Rendezvous

4/17/2019

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We are proud to be presenting at the 2019 Colorado Trout Unlimited Annual Rendezvous April 26-28 at the Hotel Colorado in Glenwood Springs, Colorado. We will be sharing proven best practices for developing nonformal river education programs and how to do community engagement well in local river education programming. 

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Community Engagement: How Do We Do it Well?
poster session, Saturday evening, April 27
Learn about the new Community Engagement Guidelines for Excellence, a free robust accessible publication of best practices, practical tools, and case studies for working in partnership with your community to strengthen the underpinnings of environmental quality and community well-being. The Guidelines offer proven strategies for developing stronger social equity, shared prosperity, and the capacity to pursue these goals together within the local community.

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How to Get Started Creating New River Education Programs
mini-workshop, Saturday April 27, 9:45am-10:45am
Do you want to develop new (or improved) river and water education programs for your organization with the best  planning, executing, and evaluating best practices from the environmental education field? This fast paced mini workshop will introduce participants to the program development cycle including needs assessment, program design and delivery, and evaluation. Participants will leave with access to the free publication: Nonformal Environmental Education Programs: Guidelines for Excellence.

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Mobile Observatory Coming to Town

3/5/2019

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The Mobile Earth + Space Observatory (MESO) is coming to Carbondale Middle School in March to present an environmental education program on The Importance of Water, thanks to a grant from the Environmental Protection Agency. MESO, a science center on wheels, will be parked at Carbondale Middle School for the week of March 11-15, providing an assembly program for all of the school’s 300+ students, and inquiry-based classroom activities for the eighth grade classes. Students will interact with scientist educators from the National Space Science & Technology Institute (NSSTI) as they explore topics and engage in learning that augments the school’s curriculum on the water cycle, watersheds, water purification, and water conservation.
After school, MESO staff will be available for students to further explore Earth & space science using telescopes and other scientific instrumentation. In the evening on March 14, MESO will be open to the public, allowing students’ families and friends to visit and participate in celestial observing. The week will culminate in a “Puddle Palooza” Science Festival on March 14th at 6:30pm for community members to experience highlights of the program presented to students during the week and visit with community partners who deal with water issues and concerns.
This visit has been a year in the making, as school staff and NSSTI planned hands-on scientific inquiry to allow students to experience first-hand what it is to be a scientist. Wild Rose Education's Youth Water Leadership Program and Carbondale Middle School Science faculty and administrators have coordinated with the NSSTI staff to integrate MESO in the school’s schedule this week, and invite community participation in the Thursday night event highlighting the week-long focus on water.
“The program is designed to reach students who might not otherwise have access to the scientists and scientific instrumentation provided by the MESO,” said Robert Sallee, Chairman of the NSSTI Board of Directors. “We want to engage and excite students, and motivate them to pursue additional education in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) subjects leading to careers in the technology workforce.” “This project will engage middle school students in learning and research in vital environmental issues relating to our Colorado water supplies with an emphasis on community-based concerns,” Sallee said. “The educational programs have been created to be consistent with Colorado science education standards and build upon curricula and activities currently in place.”
Carbondale Middle School is one of five middle schools across Colorado selected to participate in this program, which is being piloted to verify the efficacy of the mobile STEM lab as a vehicle for motivating students to learn and do research in the Earth and space sciences. Recognizing that many schools do not have the financial resources to acquire sophisticated scientific equipment, NSSTI is awarding each school a $4,550 sub-grant to fund purchase of the scientific instrumentation needed to support on-going student research and costs of participating in this project.
In addition to the MESO water week, the science teachers at Carbondale Middle School have participated in GLOBE training so that their students can collect real science data which is entered in an international database and used for numerous research projects. “The Global Learning and Observations to Benefit the Environment (GLOBE) Program is an international science and education program that provides students and the public worldwide with the opportunity to participate in data collection and the scientific process, and contribute meaningfully to our understanding of the Earth system and global environment.” (from www.globe.gov)
Also, NSSTI is providing Carbondale teachers with the opportunity to involve their classes in a distance learning program that connects them via computer to scientists who can discuss the relevance of what they are studying to the lives and wellbeing of people in their community and in other communities.
Dimitri Klebe, PhD, NSSTI President and Principal Investigator for this project, said the goals of the project are to increase student and community understanding and appreciation of the importance of hydrological systems in their communities; how these systems are affected by human influences and climate change; and how these hydrological systems fit into the global picture. This will promote environmental stewardship and increase everyone’s capacity for informed decision-making about water issues on both local and global scales.
“We are bringing together scientist-educators and community organizations to resource teachers and students to do actual research around local community water concerns,” Klebe said. “As a result, students will see the applicability of science to their communities and how community concerns relate to larger regional, national, and international concerns,” Klebe said.

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This was partially made possible by these generous 2019 Youth Water Leadership Program sponsors. 
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Students Take the Lead On River Issues

11/19/2018

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2018 Year in Review

Wild Rose Education’s Youth Water Leadership Program™ mission is to create authentic student-centered learning experiences that increase watershed literacy through civic action. During 2018, the program reached 646 student contacts ages sixth grade-college in three program areas during 94 hours of experiential learning.
  • 5 Lens on Climate Change Filmmaker Teams
  • 4 films: Our Lives Our River, Out of Balance, Streamflow on the Crystal, and Grass Skis selected for 2019 Colorado Environmental Film Festival
  • 16 Field Trips and Classroom Visits
  • 1 Youth Water Summit

Growth and Expansion of Youth Water Leadership Program™

Exciting growth occurred during 2018, the second year of this signature YWLP program. Hosting the CIRES Lens on Climate Change film making program, creating branding, convening the Summit Leader Team, mentoring senior capstone students, hosting a day long youth water summit, and employing a program intern significantly increased the program’s capacity and impact. In addition to the founding sponsor, Pitkin County Healthy Rivers, 10 additional generous financial sponsors made this expanded programming possible. Finally, utilizing the collaborative support of 20 partner organizations made this year’s YWLP more effective, meaningful, and fun.
Read the new Youth River Voices blog where water, river, and climate change youth leaders give voice to the most important issues of today
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2nd Annual Healthy Rivers Youth Water Summit
November 15, 2018, Third Street Center, Carbondale, CO
This student-driven educational conference was an opportunity for learning, dialogue, and action on local watershed issues. Students presented their call-to-action research projects and proposed evidence-based solutions to environmental issues within the local watershed. This year’s event included:
  • 20 student presentations and films
  • 2 keynote speakers
  • 6 Summit Leader Team members
  • 10 student-determined topic group discussions
  • 14 Opportunity Expo presenters
  • 5 interactive activities
  • 1 Watershed Trivia Game
  • 125 burritos
Healthy Rivers Youth Water Summit 2018
Watch the student presentations below
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The Third Street Center 501(c)3 is the fiscal agent for the Youth Water Leadership Program.
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Seeing Things Whole: John Wesley Powell and an Understanding of the American West

10/8/2018

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Wednesday, November 14, 2018, 6pm, Pitkin County Building, Main Street, Aspen
Thursday, November 15, 6pm, Third Street Center, 520 S. Third Street, Carbondale

Join Grand Canyon rafting guide, paleontologist, and author Christa Sadler for her talk about John Wesley Powell the man, the scientist, the explorer and visionary policy-maker with excerpts from her new book “The Colorado” on Wednesday, November 14th at 6 pm at the Pitkin County Administration and Sheriff’s Office BOCC meeting room 530 E. Main Street in Aspen and again in Carbondale on November 15th at 6pm at the Third Street Center.  Free. Sponsored by Pitkin County Healthy Rivers and Wild Rose Education.
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Interviews with Christa
  • Aspen Public Radio Interview (7 min)
  • KDNK Valley Voices with Amy Hadden Marsh (25 min)
  • KDNK News (4 min)
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John Wesley Powell recognized inherent problems in our vision of settlement of the West more than a century ago, and his prescient ideas may help guide us into the future. Join author and river guide Christa Sadler as she discusses John Wesley Powell the man, the scientist, the explorer, and the visionary policy maker from her new book The Colorado, about the human relationship with the Colorado River Basin. 

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Although most people are familiar with John Wesley Powell as the intrepid one-armed Civil War veteran who became the first European to explore the canyons of the Colorado and Green Rivers in 1869 and again in 1871-72, it is the work that Powell did following his epic journeys for which he truly should be famous. Powell understood the challenges of life in a land of little water like few others of his time, and his ideas for settlement of this region were visionary. As water becomes scarcer and more precious in the West, Powell’s ideas may provide valuable guidance for water managers at all levels in the coming decades. 

The Colorado River Basin is one of the driest river basins in the world, yet it has nonetheless birthed extraordinary landscapes and entire civilizations. The waters of this desert basin now support more than 40 million people—more than 10% of the country’s population depends in part or entirely on the waters of the Colorado River and its tributaries. The Colorado examines nine episodes in the history of our interaction with the Colorado River, from early prehistoric cultures to the Spanish explorations of the lower reaches of the river, the dam building frenzy of the early and middle 20th century, industrial agriculture and the current use of water throughout the region. This book provides important history and context to one of the country’s most important—and most endangered—watersheds. 

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AUTHOR BIO
As a rafting guide on the Colorado River in the Grand Canyon and elsewhere in the region, Christa Sadler has called the rivers of the Colorado River Basin home for more than three decades. She holds a Masters Degree in Earth sciences and paleontology from Northern Arizona University and a Bachelor's Degree in physical anthropology from the University of California at Berkeley. Christa has been writing and teaching in the landscapes shaped by the Colorado River since 1988 and has published several books and articles about the region. She can be contacted at www.thisearthpress.com. ​​
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Celebrating 2nd Annual Western Rivers Teacher Workshop

6/29/2018

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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. 
Western Rivers Teacher Workshops

Reflections from Participants

  • 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.

Participant Feedback

  • 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.

Participants' Story Maps

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  • Home
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