Summer is almost here, and Craig County students are ready. With the last days of school almost over, getting outside the classroom is an exciting end to the year. A grant from the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation was submitted by Tim Miller of Mountain Castles Soil and Water Conservation and Michelle Poff, Craig County Extension and 4H. The grant was funded and resulted in Craig County Middle School students having wet and wonderful end-of-year educational experiences. “This was a partnership between Mountain Castles and 4-H. The purpose of the program was to provide Craig County teens with a meaningful watershed educational experience (MWEE),” Poff stated.
The 7th and 8th grade students visited the James River and got their feet and everything else wet. The day included a comprehensive study of the James and its importance. “One of our primary objectives is for students to have a personal connection to the James River,” Miller said. “We want them to understand what’s upstream, what’s downstream, and how humans can impact the water quality of the river — both positively (through things like conservation practices) and negatively.” Along with the science part of the day came the fun, canoeing on the water. Miller stated, “For a number of students, this was their first time in a canoe!”
That experiential education continues with the 6th grade planned visit to Fenwick Mines this week. “The students will study stream quality indicators – macroinvertebrates, water chemistry, and physical features,” Poff shared. The added benefit for Craig County students is getting familiar with the natural resources within the local community. Poff continued that “they will also do some orienteering exercises,” helping students identify where they are while out in nature.
Continue through the summer with water education from the Charlottesville-based organization, Wild Virginia. Their Clean Water Advocates program provides free resources, a free online education program designed to equip and empower individuals, communities, and organizations to protect Virginia’s water quality. Clean Water Advocates help the public understand how to participate in and influence these decisions in order to protect water resources for the benefit of all. Many residents may remember the information discovered about Craig County’s water resources during the Mountain Valley Pipeline challenges. Knowing the value and importance of local and statewide water resources contributes to protecting everyone. Applications for the Clean Water Advocates program are due June 27 and more information is available from advocates@wildvirginia.org.
