The Adopt-A-Watershed Program uses local watersheds as the focal point for the K-12 grades science curriculum. The goal is to assist the students in learning science skills while developing a sense of stewardship towards our local watersheds and the fish and wildlife resources within them.
Students will select a watershed to adopt as they enter Kindergarten. The students will follow the changes in that watershed throughout their years in school. Teachers help their students study these watersheds using subjects from that grade level's science curriculum. For example, if the first grade is required to learn about life cycles, then that may be used as an opportunity for that class to incubate steelhead eggs in their classroom, learn about anadromous fish life cycles, and take part in a fisheries restoration project. Other examples might include watershed restoration projects, soil erosion experiments, wildlife habitat improvement projects, or learning mapping skills. The program gives students a chance to observe up to thirteen years of change in one watershed and to develop their ability to recognize the effects of these changes in their own lives.
For more information contact:
Kim Stokley
P.O. Box 70, HWY 3
Hayfork, CA 96041
(916) 628-5294
OR
Trinity County Resource Conservation District
P.O. Box 1414
Weaverville, CA 96093
(916) 623-3991
Copies of an 8-minute "Adopt-A-Watershed" video are available on a free, two-week loan basis.
Grade Restoration Project Class Projects K tree planting build a watershed people activities in watershed display water & its uses in watershed display 1 fisheries rehabilitation habitat dioramas erosion control rock or soil collections salmon life cycle display 2 willow planting tree species display parts of tree display tree boring & history display medicinal herbs book weather station 3 habitat improvement endangered species display insect collections from watershed seasons in watershed display video on the benefits of fire terrariums containing representative ecosystems from the watershed 4 fisheries rehabilitation aquatic insect display wildlife habitat improv. aquatic ecology aquarium displays ecology salmon needs aquarium display 5 check dams geologic history video interpretative trails rock display stream table and erosion demonstration soil & water chemistry display 6 willow planting relief map of watershed climatic changes in ecosystems 7 willow planting growth studies of trees native plants demonstration and propagation 8 water pollution sampling class study area and field sampling techniques 9-12 fisheries rehabilitation problems and solutions in watershed sedimentation studies photo monitoring stations water chemistry erosion studies comparative ecosystem studies
Resources and Funding
Resource Conservation District: the RCD has sent Kim Stokely to an Adopt-A-Stream Conference in Washington and is involved in producing a video on getting public schools involved with the Adopt-A-Watershed Program.
Soil Conservation Service: the SCS produced a video on how to get public schools systems started in the Adopt-A-Watershed program. They have also given educational programs to classes on soils and erosion in specific watersheds.
Trinity County Fish & Game Advisory Commission: this group has given the Hayfork Adopt-A-Watershed program $700 for soil and water sampling equipment and $1300 for binoculars and other field equipment. They also provided 30 complete aquarium incubators, curriculum material and teacher training in Trinity County. They have also provided speakers for classes on fisheries education.
Department of Water Resources: Hayfork Elementary School were part of a large Urban Stream Restoration grant that helped provide $500 for restoration projects on adopted streams. They also provided speakers for an Adopt-A-Watershed inservice training day for Trinity County teachers and are willing to speak in classes anytime.
United States Forest Service: have provided topographic maps, aerial photos, consultation on diverse subjects, speakers for classes, slide shows, tree for planting, volunteers to help children plant trees, planning, organization and supervision for fisheries rehabilitation, watershed restoration, wildlife habitat improvement and interpretive trail projects, and are willing to help in any way they can.
California Conservation Corps: the technical advisors have provided consultation to teachers and students on how to best accomplish fisheries rehabilitation projects. The CCC in general has provided assistance with various projects taking place in the adopted watersheds, such as providing equipment and expertise in constructing a log cover structure for fish. The CCC has also provided programs on the CCC and fisheries work for classes.
Trinity County Planning Department: they have provided speakers for classes and information concerning land ownership and use and water issues within the adopted watersheds.
Department of Fish and Game: the Salmon Stamps grant program provided money for an Adopt-A-Stream development program in the school year 1988-89. Hayfork Elementary School was part of that grant. Money has been applied for under this same program as well as the Adopt-A-Watershed program for school year 1989-1990. DFG also provided consultation on proposed fisheries rehabilitation projects, speakers for teacher inservice training days and help with the aquarium incubation project.
Lewiston Fish Hatchery: they have provided consultation and help with the aquarium incubator program as well as tours of the hatchery to several school groups and salmon/steelhead eggs for rearing in the aquariums.
Trinity County Schools: provided substitutes for teachers who came to an Adopt-A-Watershed inservice day sponsored by the Mountain Valley Unified School district and provided several hours of coordination time for the inservice, beginning the Adopt-A-Watershed program in the Mountain Valley District, writing grants to collect seed money to start the program and coordination with agencies involved with the program. Paid teachers to develop the aquarium incubator and Adopt-A-Watershed programs in their classrooms.
Trinity River Fish and Wildlife Restoration Program: has provided $316,000 in funds, administered by the US Bureau of Reclamation. Trinity River Task Force members are California Department of Water Resources, USDA Soil Conservation Service, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Trinity County, US Forest Service, California Department of Fish & Game, US Fish and Wildlife Service, Humboldt County, US National Marine Fishery Service, Hoopa Valley Indian Tribe, US Bureau of Reclamation, US Bureau of Land Management, California Department of Forestry, and the State Water Quality Control Board.
