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.

The student made films from the Lens on Climate Change Program are now available to be viewed and shared. 

Thanks again to CIRES, University of Colorado Office of Outreach and Engagement, and the Colorado Film School for bringing their program on the road to Carbondale reaching 20 local middle and high school students during the 6 day free workshop at the Third Street Center. 

The films will be screened during the 2018 Healthy Rivers Youth Water Summit and also submitted to the Colorado Environmental Film Festival. 

Special thanks to all who made the Lens on Climate Change program possible in Carbondale, Colorado including: Community Office for Resource Efficiency, Third Street Center, CLEER, Solar Rollers, and Two Rivers Unitarian Universalists.

Career Panel 

• Ellie Barber, Aspen Global Change Institute
• Morgan Hill, Garfield County Public Health
• Ali O’Neil, Evergreen Zero Waste
• Haley Thompson, filmmaker
• Sarah Uhl, artist, joy evangelist

Community Experts

• Jake DeWolf, Colorado Division of Water Resources
• Matt Hamilton, Aspen Skiing Company
• Kevin Horch, Sunlight Ski and Bike Shop
• Dave Kanzer, Colorado River District
• Brook Levan, Sustainable Settings
• Liz Mauro, Pitkin County Landfill
• Heather Tattersall-Lewin, Roaring Fork Conservancy
• Aaron Taylor, Way of Compassion Bike Project

Now in the program's second year, we are excited to share the new logos for the Youth Water Leadership Program and the local Healthy Rivers Youth Water Summit in the Roaring Fork Watershed. Designed by a local college student these two bright youthful marks are distinct yet closely related and elevate the program and its future expansion.  

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. 

​Johnson selected as new board president for Colorado Alliance for Environmental Education
Denver, Colorado (January 23, 2018) - Sarah R. Johnson of Wild Rose Education in Carbondale, Colorado recently was selected by the nationally recognized Colorado Alliance for Environmental Education (CAEE) to serve as President of their Board of Directors. Johnson has served on the Board since 2015. CAEE is the professional association for environmental education in Colorado whose mission is to advance environmental education by fostering collaboration, mobilizing support, and driving excellence. CAEE supports over 800 environmental education providers ensuring all Coloradans are environmentally literate and make choices that support the health and well-being of all life on our planet.
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Johnson is honored with this opportunity to lead the 29 year old association: 

Johnson, is joined in leadership by Laurel Olson, Manager of School Programs at Denver Botanic Gardens, serving as CAEE’s Vice President. Joel Koenig, Deloitte partner, CPA, retired, serves as Treasurer and Dr. Melanie Armstrong, Assistant Professor at Western State Colorado University, serves as Secretary.

Colorado Alliance for Environmental Education
1536 Wynkoop St #314, Denver, CO 80202
(303) 273-9527 | info@caee.org | www.caee.org.

In 2014, the North American Association for Environmental Education and the Kettering Foundation renewed their partnership to develop the Environmental Issues Forums (EIF). One of the goals of the partnership is to increase deliberative public dialogue on climate change and other environmental issues. EIF is modeled on the National Issues Forums (NIF)—a nonpartisan, nationwide network of locally sponsored public issues forums. NIF is rooted in the simple notion that democracy requires an ongoing deliberative public dialogue. People need to come together to reason and talk — to deliberate about common problems. Understand together. Decide together. Act together.
Through the partnership with the Kettering Foundation, EIF has involved educators from across the nation, including Sarah R. Johnson from Wild Rose Education, in the development and testing of issue guides and other materials. This publication, Using Environmental Issues Forums (EIF) to Enhance Deliberation: Case Studies documents, through a series of case studies, the journeys taken by these educators. They report on the process of developing locally relevant EIF materials, reflect on their experiences holding forums for a variety of audiences, and report assessment results. Read more

The Youth Water Summit is a participant-driven educational conference for youth produced by Pitkin County Healthy Rivers and Streams Program and Wild Rose Education to create an opportunity for learning, dialogue, and action on Colorado River Basin issues.

Read more at wildroseeducation.com/youthsummit