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Grant #205

Watershed Education Initiative (WEI)

Project Description:

The WEI delivers high-quality, experiential watershed education programs based on local issues associated with the Truckee River watershed, the water cycle, point and non-point source pollution, invasive species, sources and impacts of erosion, water conservation and stewardship.

Through this funding, SNJ will serve 875 students in 32 classrooms throughout northern Nevada. Conducted over a four-week period, WEI includes three in-class lessons, one field-study experience, pre- and post-assessments, classroom extension lessons for teachers, and family and community engagement. Curriculum developed and delivered by SNJ’s team of credentialed teachers aligns to state and national standards and the North American Association for Environmental Education’s Guidelines for Excellence.

TMWA Benefit:

WEI is an education program that addresses water, water quality and watershed protection for K-8th grade students, directly aligning with grant priority VI: Stewardship and Environmental Awareness. Students gain first-hand experience with the Truckee River, explore human impacts on their water source, and obtain skills and knowledge to help protect the watershed. The overall long-term program impacts include:

Students understand important science concepts related to the Truckee River watershed and can articulate how their actions affect the Truckee River watershed and local ecosystems.

Students understand important science concepts related to the Truckee River watershed and can articulate how their actions affect the Truckee River watershed and local ecosystems.

Teachers use extension lessons and implement more hands-on exploration of the watershed. Parents and community members engage in watershed education directly through WEI volunteer

The health of the Truckee River watershed and local ecosystems improves as students and their families adopt environmental stewardship practices that help reduce water pollution and human impacts.