One Grand County nonprofit works with local school districts, teachers and other partners to provide educational outdoor field trips that teach students the importance of protecting water resources.
Students completing wetland soil sampling on a field trip with Grand County Water Informational Network.Grand County Water Information Network/Courtesy photo
Grand County Water Informational Network is a nonprofit that provides educational programs to local youth. These programs not only encourage students to become better stewards of the environment, but also introduces students to careers in STEM.
Every September, the network hosts a series of outdoor education experiences for more than 400 students. During these trips, students have the opportunity to try hands-on activities like water quality testing, forest ecology and fish sampling.
Fifth grade students went on a field trip to Monarch Lake, where they were met with eight different stations that were occupied by different environmental agencies. Some of the topics and actives included touching wildlife pelts and bones, fly tying, survival basics, Leave No Trace principles, rules of wilderness camping, forest ecology and canoeing on Monarch Lake.
West Grand’s middle schoolers traveled to Rocky Mountain National Park, Henderson Mill and the Williams Fork Dam. Students learned about local fish, macroinvertebrates, soils and water quality while at the Reeder Creek Ranch near Kremmling.
Middle schoolers at East Grand got to experience macroinvertebrate sampling, electrofishing, water clarity testing and several outdoor games while at Grand Lake and Rocky Mountain National Park. These students also toured the Headwaters River Journey in Winter Park.
Students use a water siphon to mimic the Jim Creek siphon. Grand County Water Information Network/Courtesy photo
Ninth graders at West Grand High School were treated to a half-day raft trip down the Colorado River on Sept. 11.
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