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Watershed Education Summit, was originally founded 11 years ago with grant funding from the Toyota Tapestry program. For the last 7 years funding has been provided largely through a partnership with the El Dorado County RCD (Resource Conservation District).
Approximately 60 students from five El Dorado County high schools are selected to participate each year through an application process. The centerpiece of the program is a four day camping event in late September to early October each year. WES Students and professionals work together to collect data on four tributaries within the Crystal Basin of the South Fork of the American River, all of which are impacted by human use (logging, hydroelectric, camping, off road use). Protocols meet EPA and state guidelines and are incorporated into each school curriculum (Biology, Physical, Earth and AP Environmental Sciences depending on the class involved). Data collected is provided to the USFS and is used by hydrologists to develop Best Management Practices for the forest. Students gain experience and apply what they are learning in their classrooms in the field. This exposure allows students to see firsthand what kinds of jobs are available to them outside of school, future careers, etc. Many students that have participated are now going to college and majoring in science or environmental fields.
Participating schools: El Dorado High School, Oak Ridge High School, Ponderosa High School, Union Mine High School (all El Dorado Union HSD) and Golden Sierra High School (Black Oak Mine USD). The school districts have supported the program by providing release time for participating teachers.
Partner agencies (in addition to the RCD) include El Dorado National Forest, Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board, Natural Resources Conservation Services, El Dorado Irrigation District, Cal Fire, USDA, State Water Resources Control Board and Trout Unlimited. In 2010 the program received funding from a grant from the Department of Water Resources.
Watershed Education Summit Weblink
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