My Water, My Watershed

My Water, My Watershed ~ An Exploration into the Santa Fe Watershed

My Water, My Watershed is an experiential, science-based program for fifth grade Santa Fe Public School students to study and explore their watershed, learning about the complex relationships between living things and their environment. During a one hour pre-visit in the classroom, students will be introduced to a short history of the Santa Fe River and learn the definition of a watershed.

The full day field trip will occur in the upper watershed of the Santa Fe River, an area that has been closed to the public since 1932. We have been granted unique access to explore this area with your students and to see first-hand where our water comes from. During the field visit, students will use their observation, questioning and data collection skills to explore this rich environment.

In the one hour post-visit, students will review and evaluate the data collected and reflect upon the new concepts learned. Exploring ideas for water conservation, students will revisit the connections between the watershed, Santa Fe River, Rio Grande River, and the water we use in our schools, homes, and community.

My Water, My Watershed is FREE for all fifth grade SFPS classes, but space is limited. SIGN UP EARLY TO ENSURE YOUR SPACE.

Day One: One hour pre-visit to classroom. Define a watershed and map out the Santa Fe River and its watershed. Prepare for field trip.

Day Two: Full school day field trip to upper watershed to practice exploration, observation, and data collection. Sampling of aquatic macroinvertebrates in the Santa Fe River using a dichotomous key and wildlife observation.

Day Three: One hour post-visit to classroom. Review field program findings and evaluation activity. Explore ideas for water conservation and revisit where we get our water from.

To sign up or if you have questions, please contact Jaclyn at (505) 820-1696.

Teachers – For more information or to reserve your class’s spot in the program, please contact Jaclyn at 505 820 1696 or jaclyn@santafewatershed.org

Support from educational volunteers is integral to this thriving program that reaches hundreds of Santa Fe fifth graders every year! Sign up to volunteer on a field trip to the Upper Municipal Watershed when field trip dates are released this February. To be put on the volunteer email list for this program, reach out to Jaclyn at 505 820 1696 or jaclyn@santafewatershed.org

The My Water, My Watershed program is funded by the City of Santa Fe, Lineberry Foundation, and Clothes Helping Kids.

Check out our “My Water, My Watershed” videos

SANTA FE OUTDOOR EDUCATION COLLABORATIVE

The Santa Fe Outdoor Education Collaboration is a joint project between Audubon Southwest, the Santa Fe Botanical Garden, and the Santa Fe Watershed Association. These three organizations work together to provide high-quality, nature-based science lessons, outdoor field trips, and professional development trainings. All are rooted in standards-aligned life-science and the best practices of outdoor education.

The fifth-grade curriculum is aligned with New Mexico STEM-ready science standards and deepens the connections to the water cycle and ecosystems that a student can make through their experience of the My Water, My Watershed program.

My Water, My Watershed