The Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders is sponsoring a special science program that will visit grammar schools, high schools and community groups to discuss watershed ecology. This free, 30-45-minute, in-house science presentation relates watershed and environmental concepts in a fun and meaningful way.
A watershed is a specific land area that drains into a river system or other body of water. Since 1999, these interactive, “hands-on” earth science presentations incorporating a three-dimensional land use model have been receiving positive reviews from students and teachers alike.
“This is a full period of interesting material for students, scouts and ecology clubs,” said Freeholder Daniel P. Sullivan, liaison to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board. “Kids love coming to the watershed model and participating.”
Teachers, students and community members will discover how human behavior can impact the land and water around them. Most importantly, the program offers easy, practical solutions that everyone can implement to reduce pollution and improve water quality, such as eliminating or minimizing the use of pesticides on lawns, picking up pet waste, and not feeding waterfowl such as ducks and geese.
The presentations are offered by the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders and the Department of Parks and Community Renewal in conjunction with the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and the New Jersey AmeriCorps Watershed Ambassadors Program. Additionally, the Watershed Ambassador Program offers stream assessment training for individuals and groups. To schedule a free presentation or training, call Shahira Morell, the Watershed Ambassador for Watershed Management Area #7 at 908-789-3209.
Shahira Morell, watershed ambassador from Union County’s Department of Parks and Community Renewal and the New Jersey AmeriCorps Watershed Ambassador Program, prepares for upcoming watershed presentations using the Enviroscape, a 3-D model. To schedule a free watershed presentation in your community, please call 908-789-3209.
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