PROGRAM GOALS
Considerations and Options
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Emphasize the understanding and communication of results among students throughout the watershed and beyond. Improve communication and awareness via technology/computer linkages between schools, watersheds, and agencies. Help students develop and maintain a web page with project data. The option of doing this in coordination with MAWD, U of M, Rivers Council of MN and/or individual schools web sites. There are many good water related Internet websites. Explore these for ideas and to see what's happening elsewhere.
Communicate results to the public using students to present data, analysis, and interpretation to school boards, resource management boards, service clubs, and open community forums. Provide news releases regarding the program's purpose and findings.
Annual regional Red River Valley River Watch Forums are held prior to the start of a new sampling season. Students from River Watch schools attend the Forum to share their results via poster displays, PowerPoint presentations, or discussions in small groups. Additional training and data interpretation is provided at the Forum along with an opportunity to meet and exchange ideas and observations with peers involved in the program.
A State River Watch Congress has also been held where schools from around the State of Minnesota gather to share their results and River Watch experiences. Attendance at this Congress and associated costs is at the discretion of each school. Costs of sending a contingent to this event may be underwritten by a local service club so check out sponsorship opportunities.
Other complimentary activities can also be incorporated: rainfall monitors, stream gauging /flow meters, GPS/Arc View mapping and analysis, Adopt a River Program, etc.
You can address quality control through arranging to do split samples with state certified labs. Also arrange for additional training of program participants.
Identify career opportunities related to the River Watch Monitoring Program: science, conservation, natural resources, webmaster, etc.
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