My Water, My Watershed

My Water, My Watershed is an experiential, science-based program that leads fifth grade students through an exploration of the Santa Fe River Watershed. Throughout the three-day program, students learn about the complex relationships between living things and their environment, how those relationships affect the water cycle, and how to steward the environment to have a lasting impact on their local watershed.

Day One: During a 60-90 minute* classroom visit, students define ‘watershed’ and map out the Santa Fe River Watershed. By observing “rainfall” over a raised relief map and discussing the effects of water flowing over land, and through a tree identification activity, students hone their observational skills. The Leave No Trace philosophy is introduced to prepare students to be good stewards on their field trip day in protected ponderosa forest alongside the Santa Fe River.

Day Two: The full day field trip will occur in the Santa Fe Upper Municipal Watershed, an area that has been closed to the public since 1932. SFWA has been granted access to bring students into this area to explore Santa Fe’s unique water system. During the field trip, students will use their observation, questioning, and data collection skills to explore this rich environment. At Nichols Dam & Reservoir, students will observe the effects of various forms of forest management used in the surrounding pinon/juniper and ponderosa forests, as well as in the riparian areas. In our outdoor classroom by the river, students will perform various water quality tests, including macroinvertebrate identification, and pH, dissolved oxygen, and turbidity testing. Students then make connections between their observations and test results to determine the overall health of the Upper Watershed and Santa Fe River.

Day Three: During another 60-90 minute classroom visit**, students will recall observations made in the Upper Watershed, define ‘ecosystem’, and examine connections between the living and non-living parts that make up the ecosystem of the Upper Watershed. Students will brainstorm ideas of how to ensure the future health of their local watershed by discussing water conservation, pollution, reducing waste, etc, and revisit connections between the Upper Watershed, Santa Fe River, Rio Grande, and the water they use in homes, schools, and community. A short book leads a discussion about natural fires, fire suppression, wildfires, and forest management.

**If a 90 minute classroom visit is scheduled and time allows, day two may include the pH activity if it was not done during day one. If the pH activity was already done, a 90 minute visit on day two will include deeper discussion of personal responsibility to one’s natural environment and deeper exploration of the effects of fire suppression and current forest management practices.