MRWC extends the opportunity to K-12 classrooms to get outdoors and learn key watershed and ecosystem health concepts skills in monitoring, data analysis, and scientific inquiry. Previously we have worked primarily with 3rd grade dual language immersion students and high school students but hope to expand our program. Our YouTube page provides educational resources in English and Spanish for teachers and parents to use as supplemental resources for learning. 

Our species-specific lessons introduce the important role that the organisms play in the health and function of the ecosystem, and overview the historical and current challenges faced by these organisms. The classroom presentations are followed by a relevant field trip to a local site to enhance students’ connection to the theme.

In collaboration with Philomath High School and College Hill High School teachers, MRWC created a geography unit centered around invasive plant species. The unit incorporates GIS/mapping techniques and can be extended to include a restoration project.