Jewett Creek Stream Monitoring Surveys - $4,000

Curricular Area: Science
Grant Focus: Hands On Learning
Schools: Whitson Elementary School

The Jewett Creek stream surveys will allow students to engage in real-world, hands-on stream monitoring processes using pre-existing test kits for water quality, including temperature, dissolved oxygen, nitrates/phosphates, pH, turbidity and macroinvertebrates. Additional environmental conditions observed by the students include weather, riparian vegetation and instream habitat. Students will have the opportunity to learn skills in listening, teamwork, following instructions, using their senses, identifying plants and animals, notating data and other observations, understanding ecosystems and contextualizing the importance of a local urban stream in the larger regional environment. Jewett Creek is a historic source of water for the City of White Salmon, flows through both White Salmon and Bingen and hosts Coho Salmon near its confluence with the Columbia River. It is a small but important stream for the area. Fourth grade curriculum places emphasis on Salmon in the Classroom, focusing on the importance of salmon health in local ecosystems. Stream surveys support these in-class lessons by providing students with the opportunity to gain field experience monitoring salmon stream habitat health and water quality. Increasing students’ sense of place, understanding and appreciation for Jewett Creek has many community and environmental benefits.