Friends of the Rappahannock, Partners Host Caroline High School Students for "Meaningful Watershed Education Experience"
Students learned about local environmental issues through first-hand investigation.
By Adele Uphaus
MANAGING EDITOR AND CORRESPONDENT
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A field trip to the Rappahannock River at Hicks Landing in Caroline County this summer gave Caroline High School students their ever bald eagle sighting.
Over the course of two days in August, 165 environmental science students spent time kayaking on the river, identifying plants and animals, learning about wetlands and the water cycle, and conducting water quality testing—all as part of a “Meaningful Watershed Education Experience,” or MWEE, hosted by the Friends of the Rappahannock.
MWEEs allow students to conduct hands-on investigations into local environmental issues that can lead to informed action. Friends of the Rappahannock hosts MWEEs and river investigation field trips for students from preschool all the way through 12th grade.
The Caroline High School students’ visit was made possible by through a collaboration between FOR, the school division, and community partners. Students spent the day at Hicks Landing rotating between three different stations—one hosted by Fort Anderson-Pinn-Hill’s environmental and natural resources division, where students learned about wetland delineation; one hosted by the Hanover-Caroline Soil and Water Conservation District, where students learned about watersheds; and one hosted by FOR, where students kayaked and conducted water quality testing.
Environmental Science teachers Kelly Shields and Sharon Swanton received grants from the soil and water conservation district to cover transportation costs, so all students could participate.
Shields said in a press release about the field trip that “It’s one thing to teach about watersheds and ecosystems in the classroom, but taking students outside and letting them see it for themselves makes all the difference.”
The field trip was also made possible through a partnership between FOR and St. Asaph’s Episcopal Church in Bowling Green, which hosted an Oyster Roast in March to benefit the program.
FOR supported the event with an oyster restoration informational table and recycled the oyster shells for future reef projects, and proceeds directly funded this Caroline High School watershed program.
Students from Fredericksburg City Public Schools have also participated in MWEEs hosted by FOR.
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