1 The River Mile Stewardship: Lesson One Pre-Site Visit One What is environmental stewardship?...

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The River MileStewardship: Lesson One

Pre-Site Visit One

What is environmental stewardship?

National Park ServiceU.S. Department of the Interior

Lake RooseveltNational Recreation Area

Lake RooseveltThe River Mile

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The River Mile1. Think of a time when you were out in nature

and you had a powerful experience of the beauty or were in amazed by the natural environment.

2. In your science journal, write about what you saw, heard, smelled, and touched.

3. Do you remember what you were feeling and thinking? If so write that down also?

4. Why do you think the memory of this experience has stayed with you?




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Steward: a person who manages another's property or financial affairs; one who administers anything as the agent of another or others (e.g., managing servants, purchasing food and wine, in a hotel, restaurant, ship, or airplane)

Stewardship:

1. the office, duties, and obligations of a steward

2. the conducting, supervising, or managing of something; especially the careful and responsible management of something entrusted to one's care




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The National Park Service MissionProtecting Your National Parks

The National Park Service was established on August 25, 1916 to:

– “...promote and regulate the use of the Federal areas known as national parks, monuments, and reservations... by such means and measures as conform to the fundamental purpose of the said parks, monuments, and reservations, which purpose is to conserve the scenery and the natural and historic objects and the wild life therein and to provide for the enjoyment of the same in such manner and by such means as will leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations.”




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The National Park Service: Visitor Guidelines

• Be a good park visitor. Take nothing but photographs, leave nothing but footprints.



Lake Roosevelt

Enjoy yourself and remember future visitors who will come after you hoping to enjoy these American treasures too.

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• Support stewardship of the park by becoming educated about the park's natural and cultural resources.



Lake Roosevelt

Fort Spokane Entrance 1880 Ft. Spokane Guardhouse

Quartermaster Barn

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Be a good steward by obeying park regulations, including, but not limited to:

• pick up trash (including pet waste)

• keep dogs leashed

• leave precious resources undisturbed, including artifacts

• properly dispose of fishing lines and carcasses, and

• Do not use metal detectors.




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How do your experiences in nature relate to “Environmental Stewardship”?

1. Find a partner and decide who will be A and who is B.

2. Partner B you have 2 minutes to share the story about your experience with nature. Partner A listens and does not speak.

3. When time is called, Partner A, you have two minutes to tell about your experience. Partner B listens and does not speak.

4. When person A’s time is over, discuss both of your stories and how they could relate to the idea of stewardship. 2-5 mins

5. Together create a simile, analogy, or metaphor for environmental stewardship. (e.g., an environmental steward watches over the watershed like a hen watches over her chicks)




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The River Mile

Stewardship: Lesson TwoPre-Site Visit One

What environmental stewardship is needed in the Columbia River Watershed?




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Stewards of the Columbia River Watershed



Lake Roosevelt

More about Watersheds Coming Soon!The watershed covers nearly

260,000 square miles, an area the size of France

Wow what a huge area!

The River Mile

Lake Roosevelt Watershed

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The River Mile Essential Question:



Lake Roosevelt

How do relationships among components of an ecosystem in a

watershed affect water quality?

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EQ How do relationships among components of an ecosystem in a watershed affect water quality?

1. In your science journal, make a list of all the ways people use rivers, lakes, and the natural environment (i.e., watershed).

2. Share and compare your list with a partner’s list.

3. Discuss additional ways people use the natural resources.

4. Add any new ideas to your lists and prepare to report out.




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In what ways do we use our rivers, lakes, and the natural environment? For Recreation




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In what ways do we use our rivers, lakes, and the natural environment? For Commerce




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In what ways do we use our rivers, lakes, and the natural environment? For Commerce




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In what ways do we use our rivers, lakes, and the natural environment? For Homes and Communities



Lake Roosevelt

Spokane

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In what ways do we use our rivers, lakes, and the natural environment? For Basic Human Needs



Lake Roosevelt

Transportation

Protection

Food

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EQ: In what ways do we need to protect our

rivers, lakes, and the natural environment? 1. In your science journal, make a list of all the ways in which

we need to protect the rivers, lakes and natural environment (i.e., watershed).

2. Share and compare your list with a different partner’s list.

3. In small groups, discuss additional problems, issues, and unintended consequences that come with using natural resources.

4. Add any new ideas to your lists.




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We need to protect the watershed

from Animal and

Human Waste



Lake Roosevelt

Liberty Lake

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from Trash



Lake Roosevelt

Liberty Lake

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We need to protect native plants from invasive species



Lake Roosevelt

Purple Loosestrife

Canadian Thistle Yellow Floating Heart

Diffuse Knapweed

Blueweed

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We need to protect the watershed from

Storm Water Runoff



Lake Roosevelt

Liberty Lake

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from Fertilizers & Pesticides



Lake Roosevelt

Liberty Lake

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from Toxic Chemicals



Lake Roosevelt

Liberty Lake

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We need to protect forests from clear cut logging practices



Lake Roosevelt

Liberty Lake

which result in loss of habitat and mudflows

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We need to protect the watershed from Forest Fires



Lake Roosevelt

Liberty Lake

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We need to protect Wetlands from Development



Lake Roosevelt

Liberty Lake

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We need to protect spawning grounds for fish



Lake Roosevelt

Liberty Lake

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The River MileStewardship: Lesson Three

Pre-Site Visit One

What code of conduct will guide our research?




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EQ: How do relationships among components of an ecosystem in a watershed affect water quality?

1. What code of conduct will we follow so that we are environmental stewards while we are researching and collecting data in the watershed?

2. Make a list of the most important things to remember that will guide our actions.

3. Compare your list with Park Ranger Janice Elvidge’s Rules and Reminders.




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The River MileRules

• WALK, leave no trace of your passing• Stay with your group or working unit• Follow directions of chaperones, teachers,

and park rangers• Keep voices to a normal talking level, loud

noise will diminish animal sightings • Do not gather plant or animal specimens, or

parts thereof, without a research permit



Lake Roosevelt

The specimen you pick may be

someone’s dinner.

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The River MileRules

• DO not disturb rocks or other archaeological materials. Moving things out of place destroys the story it tells. Take a photo or make a sketch of its location and tell the park ranger.



Lake Roosevelt

“Hey, Guys…You’re messing with our homes”!

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The River MileRules • Remove any litter

• No gum chewing, eating, or smoking during the site visit,

• Eat only at designated times and places

• Leave all radios, tape players, CD players, and games on the bus.




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The River MileReminders

• Use data collection instruments carefully

• Keep track of supplies, moving them with you as you go

• Remember to use all of your senses. Take time

researching and collecting data so you identify and

understand all the variables and characteristics of your

“River Mile” research site.




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The River MileStewardship: Lesson Four

Post-Site Visit One

What can we learn about environmental stewardship from other projects?




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President's Environmental Youth Awards http://www.epa.gov/enviroed/peya/index.html

• Regional Award Application Deadline is October 31, of each year. • Certificate Program: The regional certificate program is conducted year-round. Applications

can be submitted at any time. • Application Form

PEYA application (PDF) [740 KB, 6 pgs PEYA application (MS Word) [3.0 MB]

• Since 1971, EPA has sponsored the President's Environmental Youth Awards (PEYA). The program recognizes young people across America for projects which demonstrate their commitment to the environment. Young people in all 50 states and the U.S. territories are invited to participate in the program.

• Projects submitted in the past have covered a wide range of subject areas including recycling programs in schools and communities; construction of nature preserves; major tree planting programs; videos, skits, and newsletters created by students that focused on environmental issues; and environmental science projects.

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2007 President's Environmental Youth Awardshttp://www.epa.gov/enviroed/peya/peya2007.html

Region 1: • Get the Lead Out of Fishing

Michael Browne, Eagle Scout, BSA Troop 5, Milton, MAResults:

• Michael and his troop went to local fishing derbies, where they handed out the brochures, exchanged lead weights for packets of environmentally safe alternatives, and talked to anglers about the dangers of lead in the environment. He collected 43 pounds of lead weights from various fishing derbies.

• Through multiple newspaper and magazine articles, Michael reached thousands of New England anglers. He presented his project at the Massachusetts State House in June, 2007, and was invited to speak before a legislative committee in September, 2007, in support of a Senate bill that would ban lead from fishing.

Michael’s project was selected by Field and Stream Magazine as its first Boy Scout "Heroes of Conservation" award.

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Region 2:

• BedsidebooksRaphael Spiro Forest Hills, NY

Results:

• Raphael started collecting and donating books to schools, nursing homes, homeless shelters, and wounded soldiers to reduce the volume of books and magazines in garbage dumps and landfills in New York City.

• Raphael expanded his local project by creating a Web site to encourage other students to conduct similar programs in their own communities. To date, more than 200 students in 16 states have collected and distributed 44,000 books.

• The environmental impact of this program can be measured in many ways. Reusing these books has spared 150 trees (a small forest) from being cut down, saved more than 60,000 gallons of water that would be used to produce paper, and prevented more than 5,000 pounds of air pollution.

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Region 3: • "We'll Bring It to You"

Curbside Electronics RecyclingHB Woodlawn 6th Grade Science Class Arlington, Virginia

Results• While conducting a watershed inventory

of a local stream, the students found discarded electronic equipment such as hard drives and cell phones in the stream. They then researched recycling and located drop-off sites but found that curbside recycling of electronics was not available. The students collected more than 450 pieces of "e-waste“ from local residents and properly disposed of it.

• The students involved the school government, local residents, and community groups such as Earth Force and the local chapter of the Sierra Club in their effort. They made two presentations to the Arlington County Board, which approved a feasibility study resolution for curbside recycling of electronics.

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Region 4: • Energy Stars

Wiser Misers Energy Team 3rd grade Huntingdon, Tennessee

Results:• The team's mission is to increase

environmental stewardship and personal responsibility through education and volunteer opportunities.

• In 2007, its fourth year, the Wiser Misers Energy Team posted an energy saving tip promoting "Change a Light, Change the World Day" on 16,000 Carroll County, Tennessee, electric bills. In return, the team received pledges from 245 community members to change one light from an incandescent bulb to a compact fluorescent lamp (CFL). In addition, the team reached more than 12,000 people with an energy saving display at the Carroll County fair.

• The team's first annual "Walk to School Day" attracted 500 participants and generated interest by the Town of Huntington to apply for a $250,000 Safe Routes to School grant. The grant was received and will fund 11,000 linear feet of sidewalks, crossings, and ramps for the disabled.

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Region 5:• International Fair

Kate 3rd grade Arlington Heights, IllinoisResults• After seeing the movie "An

Inconvenient Truth," Kate wondered what she could do to help the environment. Since her school did not have enough recycling bins, she wanted to come up with a way to buy more. As a result, she decided to raise money for the school and the environment by organizing an International Fair.

• The International Fair was a huge success, as Kate ended up raising $502 for her school and sold 50 energy-efficient light bulbs to members of the community.

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Region 6: • Public Environmental Awareness Program

Bianca 12th grade Pasadena, Texas

Results:• Bianca became a recognized environmental

leader in her community in May, 2006, when her water conservation campaign at the city's first Environmental Fair won first prize for the "Most Educational Booth."

• Bianca developed an Environmental Education Program and wrote two books for all ages, one about storm water and one about recycling. She developed computer presentations, activities, and posters, and designed her own mascot and costumes to enhance the messages in her books. Bianca crafted presentations for audiences of all ages and backgrounds, breaking language barriers with skits, pictures, and scale models to get her messages across. She recruited other students and city staff to help with her work.

Bianca took her program to more than 30 schools, day care centers, community events, youth organizations, environmental workshops, churches, local libraries, and summer camps. Each time, between 5 and 150 people would attend her events, particularly the children she has sought most of her life to reach.

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Region 7: • Stream Team #432 Water Quality

MonitoringReeds Spring High SchoolReeds Spring, Missouri

Results:• Stream Team #432 was formed in 1993.

During 2007, 11th and 12th grade students monitored water quality in streams each month, after school and on weekends conducting tests, including: pH, dissolved oxygen, ammonia, nitrates, phosphates, conductivity, turbidity, & Macroinvertebrate sampling. The data gathered was analyzed and sent to the Department of Natural Resources to be included in a state-wide water quality database.

• The team also floated the James River to pick up litter, sample stream invertebrates, test water acidity, and take water samples back to the laboratory to measure fecal coliform counts.

• Stream Team #432 has successfully established partnerships with universities, state agencies, and local organizations to work on sustainable solutions for environmental problems.

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Region 8: • EARTH Action Montana

10 - 6, 7, & 8th graders, Helena, MontanaResults:• Initially, 220 students participated in

researching & developing projects which addressed a total of 28 environmental concerns, including building a model hydrogen car, studying biodiesels, recycling, solar power, and the impact of four-wheelers on the wilderness.

• Students designed interactive booths, videos, an art show, and drama vignettes, which were field tested on their peers and environmental experts prior to the EARTH Action event. Student reviewers used a student-designed criteria rubric to evaluate their success, and professionals gave them advice about improving their presentations which were shared with nearly 1,000 participants during the EARTH Action event.

• The U.S. Geological Survey trained a group of students to use global positioning system (GPS) units to find previously mapped noxious weeds. Students working with the Weed Awareness and Eradication groups eliminated noxious weeds in more than 30 acres of forest land in the Helena National Forest.

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• Otana presented her research data at the California Air Resources Board (CARB) public hearing and it was officially submitted into evidence, as it provided strong support for the proposed regulation. CARB voted to adopt a regulation to limit ozone emissions from air purifiers to less than 0.050 parts per million (ppm). California is the first state in the nation to regulate ozone generators. Otana has received several medals, certificates, and awards.

Region 9: • Indoor Air Pollution: The Pulmonary

Effects of Ozone-Generating Air PurifiersOtana Jakpor, Riverside, CA

Results:• Otana Jakpor decided to test the

pulmonary effects of ozone-generating air purifiers after reading a Consumer Reports article titled "New Concerns about Ionizing Air Cleaners."

• Otana designed and implemented three experiments using a pulse oximeter, microspirometer, and an ozone sensor. Her original research included testing subjects, such as her mother who is asthmatic and others without asthma, on various time exposures to air purifiers, One result was 15 times higher than the level of a Stage 3 Smog Alert.

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Region 10: • Cool School Campaign

Redmond High SchoolRedmond, Washington

Results:• Five students developed a program that

challenges teachers to reduce the amount of carbon dioxide generated in the classroom through transportation, recycling, electricity, and heating. In its first year, the Cool School Campaign reduced 72 tons of carbon dioxide (CO2). Small changes, like turning the temperature down a few degrees, using only two of the four sets of ceiling lights, car pooling, turning off DVD players at the power strip, and drinking coffee out of reusable mugs, meant a big reduction in the CO2 emissions. In the first year, the teachers' actions saved the school district $7,500. Over the past two and a half years, the district has saved $550,000 by recycling more, watering less, reducing waste, and generally using less energy.

• The Cool School Campaign, involves the entire student population and staff, and has been adopted by 17 other schools. This success prompted the Puget Sound Clean Air Agency and Puget Sound Energy to provide financial assistance to train additional teachers. The students also presented their results to the U.S. Conference of Mayors meeting in Los Angeles, CA.

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The River MileStewardship: Lesson Five

Post-Site Visit One

What is my role as a steward of our River Mile?

What do we want to accomplish this year?




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What is your personal mission for participating in the River Mile Project?

1. What do you hope to accomplish?

2. What do you want to learn?

3. What do you think will be challenging?

4. What could be exciting?

5. What actions are you already thinking about?




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What do we want to accomplish this year?

• Now that we have been to our River Mile

site and assessed its condition, what ideas

do we have and what do we want to do to

promote simultaneous use and protection

of this section of our watershed?




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How is science used to solve problems?

3.1.2 Apply the scientific design process to develop and implement solutions to problems or challenges. (6-8)

• Propose, implement, and document the scientific design process used to solve a problem or challenge:

define the problem scientifically gather information and collect measurable data explore ideas make a plan list steps to do the plan scientifically test solutions document the scientific design process

• Explain possible solutions to the problem• Explain the reason(s) for the effectiveness of a solution to a

problem or challenge.

*(Note grades 3-5 and 9-10 are slightly different. Use the appropriate GLE.)




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The River MileStewardship: Lesson Six

Optional any time after Site Visit One

How can I get more involved?

Are there groups I can join?




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You can be a NPS volunteerhttp://www.ohranger.com/lake-roosevelt/whos-who-park

• Lake Roosevelt wants volunteers who are committed to our mission: to provide safe outdoor recreational experiences, preserve and protect the historic, cultural, and natural objects on our site, for the benefit and enjoyment of the public, now and in the future. To learn more about volunteering, contact Volunteer Coordinator at the address below.

• Volunteer Coordinator1008 Crest DriveCoulee Dam, WA 99116509.633.9441 ext 130

Ft. Spokane Soldier

Reenactment

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You can join a Boys or Girls Scouts Club.

• Boys and Girls Clubs of America www.bgca.org/

• Boy Scouts Good Turn for America http://www.goodturnforamerica.org/

• Girl Scouts of America http://www.girlscouts.org/program/program_opportunities/environment/

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The Environmental Protection Agency

• Environmental stewardship is the responsibility for environmental quality shared by all those whose actions affect the environment. Everyday, more than 300 million Americans make countless choices that can impact our environment.

• By being an active environmental steward you can reduce those impacts and make a difference in the kind of world we live in today and pass on to future generations.

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http://www.epa.gov

• As the leading environmental agency in the United States, EPA has an important role to play in promoting environmental stewardship-by individuals, communities, businesses and other organizations, and by our partners throughout government.

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You can get involved in Earth Day http://www.epa.gov/earthday/

• Environmental responsibility is

everyone’s responsibility. So

this Earth Day, April 22, 2009,

get involved and make

protecting our planet an every

day commitment. Together we

can create a cleaner, healthier

world.

Students planting trees and removing liter.

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Environmental Restoration http://www.earthcorps.org/

• Restoration is a process of reestablishing a self-sustaining habitat: returning a polluted or degraded environment as closely as possible to a healthy, self-sustaining ecosystem.

• As restoration practitioners, our goal is to expedite natural processes in rebuilding a healthy, functioning natural ecosystem.

Stanley CummingsPlanting in Mowitch with Citizens for a Healthy Bay

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EarthCorps' environmental restoration work includes:

• Planting trees, shrubs and groundcover, including design of native plant landscapes;

• Invasive plant removal and control, including mulching to exclude weed seed/rhizomes;

• Removing abandoned logging roads; • Removing culverts and restoring stream channels; • In-stream habitat reconstruction including log and rock

installation and anchoring; • Erosion control and bank stabilization; • Stewardship and monitoring; • Nursery construction and management; • Project management, design and funding.

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Stewardship Project• Working from 9:00 am to 4:30 pm on Saturday, July 7, a group of 13

volunteers removed nearly all traces of a squatter’s camp on Hump Island. The island, which is owned by the Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and is located downstream from Longview, is a popular recreation spot.

• According to a Washington Fish and Wildlife official, the extent and activity at the illegal camp site was negatively impacting efforts to re-introduce Columbian White-tailed deer to the Fisher-Hump island complex.

• Items removed included, ~ 12 car batteries, ~ 20 fishing poles, ~ 10 gas cans, 4 propane tanks, 5 outboard motors, 3 small boats, 2 bikes, 1 iron stove, 1 generator, and dozens of knifes.

• The clean up was coordinated by the Lower Columbia River Estuary Partnership. Washington State DNR and Fish and Wildlife provided support for the project.

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9:00 am Saturday, July 7,

4:30 pm Saturday, July 7,

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National Resource Agencies• Bureau of Land Management (BLM)• Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)• National Park Service (NPS)• National Resources Conservation Service (NRCS)• Take Pride in America• U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS)• U.S. Forest Service• U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)• Be Bear Aware and Wildlife Stewardship Campaign• Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics• National Environmental Education and Training Foundation (NEETF)• National Marine Sanctuary Foundation• National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA)

1 The River Mile Stewardship: Lesson One Pre-Site Visit One What is environmental stewardship?...

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