Tips

Donate

1. Find and contact your local watershed council to get involved in watershed actions such as:

Native tree and shrub plantings
Riparian restoration projects
River clean-ups
Water quality testing
Storm drain stenciling
Raising fish in the classroom, such as Trout in the Classroom and the Fish to Fry program

2. Visit your local fish hatchery.

Research the role fish hatcheries play in watershed health.
What are the local fish species in your watershed?

3. Visit your local wastewater treatment facilities.

What role does your local facility play in your watershed?
Trace the path of water from school to the wastewater treatment facility.
Identify where runoff goes once it leaves the schoolyard.

4. Identify the plant and animal species who depend on healthy waterways near your school.

Identify species needs and work to improve and maintain their habitats.
Find solutions to invasive species near your watershed.
Invite people who work with plant and animal species in your location to speak to students and collaborate on a project.

5. Visit your municipal water supplier.

What are your city’s water conservation tips?
Test your local water’s quality and compare it to the city’s most recent quality report.
Collaborate on a project to raise water quality awareness, such as through a poster contest.

6. Create a watershed model.

Use stream tables to investigate how water and pollutants flow over the land.
Map the school grounds and locate potential problems to the local watershed.

7. Organize an event.

A lake, river, stream or creek clean-up
A riparian planting
Christmas tree recycling for fish habitat
Community recycling event for household chemicals

8. Connect with your local river authority and organizations who protect and monitor your watershed.

Invite them to speak at your school.
Participate in their watershed events helping to connect and engage families with school activities.
Determine why champions of our waterways, such as river protectors are important.

9. Protect storm drains and nearby waterways from pollution.

Prohibit use of pesticides and fertilizer on school grounds.
Use native plants and shrubs as buffers near waterways.
Create signs that encourage people not to litter or pollute.

10. Conduct water quality testing, such as pH, temperature, macroinvertebrates, turbidity, and NPS. There are several avenues for students to conduct testing through programs like: