Watershed Connections

The River Watch program was evaluated and a decision to update the program and rename it to Watershed Connections in 2024. The updated program now includes multiple types of surface water (beyond rivers and streams). Curriculum has also been revamped because of the evaluation and now includes climate change and technology components. There are also optional tracks in humanities and arts for groups to choose from if it fits their goals. Each activity is now linked to Minnesota State Education Standards as well. 

These updates and changes came as a direct result of teacher and subject matter expert input and incorporate best practices in experiential and environmental education. 

Coming soon: additional stewardship experiences and activities for groups who have completed advanced level activities. 

Watershed Connections goals

• Provide high quality outdoor place-based environmental education to youth that don't get many environmental education opportunities.
• Help students understand how their actions impact the environment and how they can protect it.
• Help students understand how climate change can impact surface water ecosystems.
• Help students understand what things can impact water quality.
• Help students understand actions they can take related to climate change.

Watershed Connections participant outcomes

1. Participants develop an understanding of what impacts water quality.
2. Participants have a desire to continue learning about the environment.
3. Youth have the knowledge needed to make a difference in what happens to the environment.
4. Participants will recommend actions to preserve or restore healthy aquatic environments. 

Discuss which activity options are best for your group with the Watershed Connections program coordinator.

Freshwater ecology: introduction, field trip

This introductory activity provides a look at what types of life can be found in a stream or pond and what roles they play in the food chain and the ecosystem. Participants will look at live invertebrates. There are two versions of this activity, one where students go in the water and one where they stay on land. Add in optional tracks in art, social studies, or math to make the activity better fit your goals.

Discuss which options are best for your group with the Watershed Connections program coordinator.

Concepts

• Streams, ponds, and wetlands are a huge source of biological life.
• Biological organisms called “benthic macroinvertebrates” live in our surface water.
• Macroinvertebrates can tell us about the water quality.
• The area surrounding the stream/pond/wetland is important to the life in that water.
• Humans impact our water resources in many ways.

Outcomes

1. Participants will understand that there is life in surface water.
2. Participants will learn what a “benthic macroinvertebrate” is.
3. Participants will see invertebrates and learn their importance.
4. Participants will learn about “families” of invertebrates and how they are related to water quality
5. Participants will discuss the connection between climate change and water resources.

Details

• Time: 2 hours minimum including travel time
• Facilitation: this activity will be facilitated by a Hennepin County educator
• Ages: middle school through adult
• Minnesota state education standards reinforced by this activity: STEM - Life Science: 6E.1.2.1.1; 6E.3.2.1.3; 7L.2.1.1.1; 7L.4.1.2.1; 7L.4.1.2.2; 7L.4.2.2.1; 9E.4.2.1.1; 9L2.1.1.2; 9L.3.1.2.5; 9L.4.1.1.3; 9L.4.2.2.1; 9C.2.1.1.1.
• Location and transportation: Hennepin County staff will identify a location near your school and provide busing.

Catch the Rain: introduction, in the classroom or on school grounds

This introductory activity focuses on rainfall and its impact on our environment. Monitoring the amount of rain that falls is great way to learn about water, specifically precipitation. Rain gauges are inexpensive, easy to install, and can be used to monitor daily precipitation totals. Observing and monitoring precipitation with a rain gauge can help participants understand how much rain falls into their yard and conserve water. Rain gauges can also be used at school locations to further this understanding. Gauges are also a great way to help visualize the water cycle and the role that precipitation plays in weather, climate, and everyday life.

Concepts

• Precipitation events have impacts on our daily lives. 
• Precipitation can come in several forms.  
• Recording rainfall is an important scientific exercise.

Outcomes 

1. Participants will use a rain gauge to monitor the amount of precipitation and report data. 
2. Participants will learn how to use a rain gauge for monitoring precipitation levels. 
3. Participants will learn how to collect and record data. 
4. Participants will understand the impact of climate change on precipitation.

Details

• 15 to 20 minutes every rain event to check gauge and enter the data 
• Facilitation: this activity is facilitated by an on-site educator
• Ages: Middle school, high school youth, and adults
• Minnesota state education standards reinforced by this activity:
  • Earths’ Systems: 6E.1.2.1.1; 9E.4.2.1.1    
  • Earth and Human Activity: 6E.3.2.1.3  
  • Ecosystems: Interactions, Energy, and Dynamics: 7L.2.1.1.1; 7L.4.1.2.1

Freshwater ecology: advanced, field trip

Streams and ponds are home to many kinds of organisms. This activity provides a look at what we find in a stream or pond and how they are very important part of the food chain and the ecosystem. Macroinvertebrates are collected and preserved at the stream and transported back to the lab where they are sorted and identified with the help of dichotomous keys. Organisms are identified to the family taxonomic level. In this activity you will also calculate a quality rating. This rating considers the pollution sensitivity of the organisms and their relative abundance. The numerical result represents the overall “health” of the water body. Add in optional tracks in art, social studies, or math to make the activity better fit your goals.

Concepts

• Streams are a huge source of biological life.
• Biological organisms called “benthic macroinvertebrates” live in our surface water.
• What surrounds the stream is important to the life in the stream.
• Humans impact our water resources in many ways.
• Results of biosurveys can be compared between different seasons and different years.
• Hypothesize what characteristics of the watershed affect the types of macroinvertebrates that live in the stream and identify changes in land use over time that may affect water quality.
• Participants will discuss how climate change impacts our surface waters.

Outcomes

• Participants will understand that there is life in water.
• Participants will learn what a macroinvertebrate is.
• Participants will see living inverts and learn their importance.
• Participants will learn what a biotic index is and calculate one for their site. Results are available to discuss within the classroom.
• Participants will learn that Climate change affects all life in surface waters.

Details

• Time: 2 hours minimum including travel time
• Facilitation: this activity will be facilitated by a Hennepin County educator
• Ages: middle school through adult
• Minnesota state education standards reinforced by this activity: STEM - Life Science: 6E.1.2.1.1; 6E.3.2.1.3; 7L.2.1.1.1; 7L.4.1.2.1; 7L.4.1.2.2; 7L.4.2.2.1; 9E.4.2.1.1; 9L2.1.1.2; 9L.3.1.2.5; 9L.4.1.1.3; 9L.4.2.2.1; 9C.2.1.1.1  
• Location and transportation: Hennepin County staff will identify a location near your school and provide busing.

Freshwater ecology: advanced, macroinvertebrate identification

This activity is a companion to Freshwater Ecology – Advanced. In this session, participants will process their preserved sample that they collected during their field trip. They identify the organisms with the help from taxonomic keys and will calculate an overall score that represents the health of the stream. This activity uses the skill of taxonomy. Taxonomy consists of categorizing “things” into classifications or groups. This skill is used throughout science courses in universities as well as by many professionals such as aquatic biologists, botanists, naturalists, and paleontologists among others.

Concepts

• Streams, wetlands and ponds are a huge source of biological life. 
• Biological organisms call “benthic macroinvertebrates” live in our surface water.  
• What surrounds the stream is important to the life in the stream. 
• Humans impact our water resources in many ways. 
• Results of biosurveys can be compared between different seasons and different years.
• Hypothesize what characteristics of the watershed affect the types of macroinvertebrates that live in the stream and identify changes in land use over time that may affect water quality. 

Outcomes

• Participants will understand that there is life in water. 
• Participants will learn what a macroinvertebrate is. 
• Participants will see invertebrates and learn their importance. 
• Participants will use a taxonomic key to identify aquatic invertebrates.
• Participants will learn what a biotic index is and calculate one for their site. 
• Participants will discuss the results of their biotic index calculations with the class. 

Details

• Time: 2 hours minimum in a classroom or “lab” setting
• Facilitation: this activity will be facilitated by a Hennepin County educator
• Ages: middle school through adult
• Minnesota state education standards reinforced by this activity: STEM - Life Science: 6E.1.2.1.1; 6E.3.2.1.3; 7L.2.1.1.1; 7L.4.1.2.1; 7L.4.1.2.2; 7L.4.2.2.1; 9E.4.2.1.1; 9L.3.1.1.1 

Aquatic Invasive Species: advanced, field trip

Invasive species are non-native organisms that infest ecosystems beyond their natural historic range. They are often aggressive, highly adaptable, and advantageous, causing harm to economic, environmental, and/or human health. Aquatic invasive species are invasive species specifically found in or near water.

Concepts 

• Streams and ponds are a source of complex life.
• Invasive species are harmful to our environment.
• The health of a surface water body is dependent upon many components.
• Humans impact our water resources in many ways.

Outcomes 

• Participants will understand there is life in aquatic environments.
• Participants will learn how to collect and process biological samples from surface water.
• Participants will learn what invasive organisms are.
• Participants will learn how invasive organisms affect aquatic environments.
• Participants will connect human behavior with aquatic invasive species spread.
• Participants will become aware of common aquatic invasive species to watch for.
• Participants will understand how to minimize the introduction and spread of aquatic invasive species.
• Participants will learn how to report aquatic invasive species.
• Participants will learn how climate change impacts the introduction and spread of aquatic invasive species.

Details

• Time: 3 hours. All work including identification will happen at the site.
• Facilitation: this activity will be facilitated by a Hennepin County educator
• Ages: middle school through college
• Minnesota state education standards reinforced by this activity: STEM - Life Science: 6E.1.2.1.1; 6E.3.2.1.3; 7L.2.1.1.1; 7L.4.1.2.1; 7L.4.1.2.2; 7L.4.2.2.1; 9E.4.2.1.1; 9L2.1.1.2; 9L.3.1.2.5; 9L.4.1.1.3; 9L.4.2.2.1; 9C.2.1.1.1  

Who can be involved?

Classrooms or groups of Hennepin County participants from middle through higher education can participate in Watershed Connections.

Do I need to have prior knowledge of freshwater ecology?

No, Hennepin County educators will guide you and your group through the experience. No prior knowledge is needed.

Is this safe?

It is important to be aware of safety steps and Hennepin County educators will provide you with all of the necessary education, reminders and equipment to be safe during the experience.

What classes can Watershed Connections be incorporated into?

Watershed Connections reinforces Minnesota State education standards in science, social studies, math and art. The impacts that climate change can have on water resources are also incorporated into activities. Talk to the Watershed Connections program coordinator about your goals related to different subject areas.

How much of a time commitment is this?

We can create a program that works for your time requirements. The minimum time is two classroom hours. Up to ten classroom hours can be necessary for more in-depth program choices.

What does it cost to participate?

There is no cost for your classroom to participate. Hennepin County will provide supplies, transportation, and facilitation.

Do I have to secure funding for busing?

No. Hennepin County will reserve and pay for busing to get your students to and from the field location.

What is the difference between River Watch and Watershed Connections?

The River Watch program has been revamped and renamed as Watershed Connections. Check out the “Overview of the program revamp” drawer, below, to learn more about what changed and how we incorporated feedback from teachers and other partners.

How do I sign up?

Sign up for Watershed Connections using this form.