Under the guidance of ORF staff, students learned what it takes to be an environmental steward and discover their power to lead their school and community toward conservation solutions.
Using real scientific equipment the students came up with their own assessment of the health of the Little Miami River and then took a kayak trip down the river. They developed and researched their own scientific questions, got their hands on live freshwater mussels, and helped identify and tag them. The students worked hard cutting, chopping and sawing doing important habitat restoration work by removing invasive plant species at a new community park in Cumminsville and at Kingswood Park in Mason. They even got to go electrofishing as part of ongoing fish research occurring on the Ohio River.
All of these activities provided fun, hands-on, real-world experiences in science that will help each student as they choose career and education goals after graduation. In addition, the course has shaped the hearts and minds of the next generation of environmental stewards and leaders who will live, work and play in the Ohio River Watershed. There are so many serious issues facing our watershed and environment. These students are now more knowledgeable, engaged, and empowered as a result of their experience in the Student Conservation Leaders Course and ready to help in the effort to protect the vital and beautiful Ohio River and its expansive watershed.
For more information about the Student Conservation Leaders Course click here.