  |
|
|
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 13, 1995
95-153
CONTACT:
Diane Peterson, Waterville Elementary School (509) 745-8585, Home 745-8226
Annie Phillips, Ecology (360) 407-6408
Mary Getchell, Ecology (360) 407-6157
ECOLOGY AWARDS MAGIC APPLE GRANT TO WATERVILLE TEACHERS
OLYMPIA, WA -- This school year, two teachers at Waterville Elementary School will get extra help for environmental education projects from a Magic Apple grant of $750 from the Washington State Department of Ecology. Working with the Bureau of Land Management, Diane Peterson and Cathi Nelson will guide 100 fourth-through-sixth-grade students through an in-depth study of the Douglas Creek Watershed.
Each May, Ecology presents "Magic Apple" grants to nine teachers throughout the state in recognition of outstanding water quality education projects, and to support activities in the coming school year. The money is part of a larger environmental education grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
"Teachers can really influence whether a student becomes a steward of our natural resources," said Linda Crerar, Ecology assistant director for the water division. "These educators are teaching stewardship along with their traditional subjects of science, language arts and social studies."
Peterson and Nelson plan to use their $750 to buy water quality test kits and 100-foot measuring tapes for the students to use on their weekly visits to Douglas Creek. The kids will also study the wildlife and vegetation in the area and the effects on the watershed of its human users.
"The area we are studying is a familiar spot to most families around here," says Peterson. "However, most people see it only through their own experience. The interrelationships of cattle owners, fishermen, hunters, recreationists and all others who use the watershed has been largely overlooked. They have not thought much about their effect on the water or the animals and plants that make up the ecosystem of the area."
In addition to their research on water quality, plants and wildlife in the watershed, the students will study its history by interviewing local residents and listening to visiting experts speak on geology history, railroad history, early settlers, native plants and animals.
"The Douglas Creek Watershed Study integrates science topics into a relevant, hands-on learning experience that can be translated to life skills and life-long decision opportunities for our students,” said Peterson.
The students also will contribute to the health of the creek by picking up litter and planting trees and rye grass to restore streambank vegetation. "We believe that knowledge brings responsibility and we have seen this proven," Peterson said.
Teachers interested in applying for a "Magic Apple" grant for the 1996-97 school year should contact Annie Phillips at the Department of Ecology, (360) 407-6408.
Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.
