2019-20 Education Program Serves 350 Students, New Schools

Watershed Education Director Marie Butcher with a group of school students on a field trip

The Carmel River Watershed Conservancy (CRWC) team was able to reach over 350 children at 10 schools in the 2019-20 school year despite a shift to online learning late in the spring semester. Its newest addition was the Chartwell School, a school for children with language-based learning differences. CRWC is also expanding its outreach to schools in underserved areas such as Salinas and Seaside.

Illeana Alexander and Janet Kung, CRWC’s watershed education interns studying at the Middlebury Institute of International Studies, had a blast visiting classrooms and doing hands-on activities with the kids. This included having the students make their own watersheds and learn about different animal track patterns. Janet and Marie Butcher, CRWC’s Watershed Conservancy Outreach Coordinator, and our wonderful volunteers, took students to Garland Ranch and the Palo Corona Regional Parks for outdoor field trips. During those trips, they identified insects and birds and learned more about the watershed they live in, including the lifecycle of the threatened steelhead. 

California Wildlife Day 2020 was cancelled amongst Covid-19 social distancing measures, but all the students’ hard work and beautiful submissions are still being honored. We have an exceptional array of poetry, watercolors, science posters, and unique 3D projects – all displayed on our Digital Gallery. We encourage you to browse this year’s fine talent!
​
The Carmel River Watershed Conservancy and the Monterey Peninsula Regional Park District are working together to display the student artwork at the Discovery Center once the County’s shelter-in-place order is lifted. The team will also be judging the top artwork and awarding prizes to the winners.