SAWA’s Education and Public Outreach Programs
Chino Creek Wetlands and Educational Park
The Santa
Ana Watershed Association is a non-profit organization dedicated
to providing free environmental education programs to all schools
and student groups. The Santa Ana River Watershed is the largest
coastal river system in Southern California and is home to nearly
5 million people.
Water
Discovery Field Trip Program
In order to
address public outreach and environmental education needs, the
Santa Ana Watershed Association developed and launched the Water
Discovery Field Trip Program in 2008. The Water Discovery Field
Trip program is an outdoor program aimed at reconnecting students
with the natural world and its needs. During the field trip, water
conservation, threatened wetlands, and watershed issues are brought
to the forefront.
Water
Discovery Brochure (PDF 140kb)
Due to extensive
flood control in the watershed, natural hydrologic cycles of flooding
have been disrupted. As a result, many miles of riparian habitat
that thrived on the natural cycle of periodic flooding have been
lost. The loss of habitat has threatened the local survival of
plant and wildlife species that depend on riparian habitat, including
the endangered least Bell’s vireo. The elimination of periodic
flooding has also decreased the amount of natural groundwater
replenishment. Unfortunately, groundwater is the main source of
potable water in the watershed, providing about 66 percent of
the consumptive water demands. These alarming facts buttress the
growing need for public environmental awareness in the Santa Ana
River Watershed.
The Water
Discovery Field Trip Program, offered through a partnership with
the Inland Empire Utilities Agency (IEUA), is operated at the
Chino Creek Wetlands and Educational Park in the City of Chino.
The park encompasses 22 acres and is landscaped with a variety
of drought-tolerant and native Californian plants and trees. It
also features a six-pond wetlands and riparian habitat, providing
a safe environment for migratory birds and other wildlife.
The Water
Discovery Field Trip Program is composed of several activity stations,
each addressing a specific water or wetlands theme. These activity
stations are placed throughout the park and students in small
groups rotate among them. All activities have been designed to
compliment State Education Standards thus allowing educators to
incorporate the Water Discovery Field Trip Program into existing
curriculum. A key focus is to utilize hands-on, interactive teaching
methods which engage students to think critically and creatively.
Students are encouraged to explore scientifically with experimentation
and observation.
Activity stations
offered include: Water Testing, Wildlife Behavioral Study, Bird
Bingo, Pond Life Microscope Study, Water Cycle Bracelet Game,
the EnviroScape®, Plant Factory, Macroinvertebrate Mayhem and Edible Aquifers.
- Water Testing
– Students obtain pond water samples from the wetlands and perform
chemical tests for pH, nitrates, phosphates, dissolved oxygen,
turbidity, and temperature. At this station, students will utilize
experimentation skills and understand the need for healthy water
quality results.
- Wildlife
Behavioral Study – Using binoculars, students will observe and
monitor wetlands wildlife like biologists. Naturalists will
engage students in discussions on wetlands, habitat loss, and
the impact of humankind on nature.
- Bird Bingo
– This activity allows students to combine birding with an element
of fun and games. Students attempt to find all birds and wildlife
on a bingo sheet. During this activity, Naturalists use visual
and conceptual aids to discuss migratory birds and the workings
of a wetland.
- Pond Life
Microscope Study – Students view pond life specimen under microscopes.
Students obtain and assemble their own specimens and slides.
This activity encourages scientific observation and teaches
students how to use a microscope.
- Water Cycle
Bracelet Game – The activity explains the journey of water molecules.
During the game, students assemble keepsake bracelets or key
chains. Issues of water conservation are also discussed.
- EnviroScape®
- Students pollute the EnviroScape® watershed model, create
a mock rainstorm and observe the path of storm water pollutants
to the ocean. This activity familiarizes students with non-point
source pollution and its effects on water.
- Plant Factory – At this station, students learn about plants and their different parts. Students then role-play as plant parts and construct a plant using their bodies.
- Macroinvertebrate Mayhem -- This activity focuses on macroinvertebrates and their roles as indicators of stream or pond health. Following a discussion on macroinvertebrates, students will play a tag-style game to better understand the importance of macroinvertebrate populations and diversity.
- Edible
Aquifers – Students construct their own aquifer using edible
ingredients. After construction, food dye is used to demonstrate
the course of pollution. A guardian consent form is required
for this ice cream aquifer activity.
All activity
stations include thorough discussion of water and wetlands themes
and vocabulary with trained Naturalists. An average field trip
consists of three to four activity stations and is scheduled for
two hours. Most schools opt to have a guided tour of the Chino
Creek Wetlands and Educational Park and have a sack lunch at the
picnic tables after the Water Discovery Field Trip Program.
Before classes
participate in the field trip, teachers are sent pre-field trip
packets complete with in-class activities and a Water Discovery
Field Trip Program PowerPoint presentation to prepare students
for the program. At the end of the field trip, teachers are asked
to complete evaluation forms which are used to measure the program’s
success.
In-class
presentations
With the cooperation
of IEUA, SAWA is developing an in-class presentation program.
This pilot program will be offered to classes and groups participating
in the Water Discovery Field Trip Program. Trained naturalists
will provide activities and stimulate discussions about wetlands
with students prior to their trip to the Chino Creek Wetlands
and Educational Park.
Docent
and Volunteer Training Program
As a non-profit
organization, SAWA encourages volunteers to participate in a variety
of projects and programs. Each year, SAWA offers a Docent Training
Program in which volunteers are given the opportunity to participate
in a comprehensive hands-on learning experience. During the six-week
training, participants are given the tools and information helpful
toward volunteering in environmental projects. Training topics
include watershed, water quality, interpretation and local herpetology,
ornithology, flora and fauna. Trained docents and volunteers will
have opportunities to become either park docents and naturalists
or biology and/or restoration assistants. SAWA also seeks short-term
volunteers to participate in one day events such as cleanups and
park events.
Volunteer Work Parties
Volunteer Work Parties are held bimonthly on the first Saturday at the Chino Creek Wetlands and Educational Park. These events include a variety of activities, including hands-on restoration, bird box construction and environmental workshops. Please refer to upcoming events for further details.
Upcoming Events
Bi-monthly Volunteer Work Party
Saturday, Dec. 5, 2009
8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Details to come soon
Project Webfoot Workshop
Oct. 26, 2009
9:00 a.m. to 3:00 a.m.
For a flyer with more information and a registration form, click
here.
Links
and Contacts
To book a
Water Discovery Field Trip and/or in-class presentation, please
contact:
Dolly Aguirre,
Education Coordinator (909) 606-1933 ext. 110
daguirre.education@sawatershed.org
To book a
guided tour of the Chino Creek Wetlands and Educational Park,
please contact:
Samantha Dempster,
Naturalist (909) 606-1933 ext. 102
sdempster@sawatershed.org
For more information
on the Chino Creek Wetlands and Educational Park or the Inland
Empire Utilities Agency, please click on this link:
http://www.ieua.org/facilities/wetlands.html
For more information
on the Docent Training Program or for upcoming volunteering opportunities,
please contact:
Dolly Aguirre,
Education Coordinator (909) 606-1933 ext. 110
daguirre.education@sawatershed.org
P.O.
Box 219
Chino, CA 91708
909-606-1933
Lee Reeder,
Executive Director, ext. 105
Jennette Corbitt,
Executive Assistant, ext. 101
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