“Pond and Stream Safari Curriculum” Teaches Youth about Stream Life

[Megan Plete Postol]

Youth from ages 8 – 13 experienced hands-on learning April 25th during a collaborative learning workshop that focused on the importance of maintaining and protecting water resources, native species and stream life, and healthy watersheds. The first portion of the program, which was held onsite at Cornell Cooperative Extension of Oneida County, was presented by Tim Wimmer and Jessica Armstrong from Oneida County Soil and Water was based on the Pond and Stream Safari Curriculum. The second half of the program was led by Jordan Ross from Trout Unlimited.

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The early part of the day featured a brief introduction to watersheds followed by the students going outdoors to view the water challenges on the grounds at CCE Oneida. Comparing the two drainage systems used to remove water from the parking lot allowed the youth to observe the damage caused by runoff, which sparked a discussion on how chemicals enter waterways.

A large focus of the program was devoted to native plants and insects versus invasive species, and why that distinction matters. Instructors showed the students the current efforts of planting native willows and the role they play in filtration, erosion control, and habitat restoration. A walk in the woods exposed the kids to the devastation caused by the non-native Emerald Ash Borer.

The afternoon kicked off with an introduction to indicator species followed by an interactive activity in which students used magnifying glasses to explore and identify invertebrates that were scooped from the local Oriskany Creek. They also identified bugs and photographed them with a digital microscope. For many of the students, seeing these creatures up close was a new experience.

“I always find new things when I do this, and this time was no exception,” program leader JP Ross said. “We found a Horse Hair Worm, which I had never seen, and we took a photo of the head of a golden stonefly only to find later that there was another bug on its head. Without the donated microscopes we never would have seen this.”

The X-Stream Bugs program will continue to expand, as the local Trout Unlimited Mohawk Valley Chapter led by Ken Ziobro President, has taken on the task of building the X-Stream Bugs program, and has also donated 3 digital microscopes to Hart Hill School. The program will start at Hart Hill Elementary this May, with support from Lisa Putnam Principal and Dr. Bellair Superintendent. JP Ross will lead the team and the program to launch this by helping to get kids outside and learn about insects, streams and watersheds.

“When we work with 4-H youth on a series of projects we can see the growth and knowledge the youth obtain,” Lynette Kay, Cornell Cooperative Extension of Oneida County 4-H Program Educator said. “When you do a one-day workshop you don’t often get to see if you truly made an impact on the youth that participated. The true test of success is when they want to share what they learned with others. One of the Pond and Stream Safari participants is the niece of a coworker. The little girl was down in the lunchroom (the day after the event) and was explaining to the lunch crowd what she saw and did the day before. She couldn’t remember one of the creatures she was looking at under the microscope. Suddenly she jumped up and ran to her aunt’s office, and returned with the pond and stream workbook and proceeded to flip through the pages. She was so excited when she found and showed everyone what she was looking for. Every fire starts with a spark.”

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