Despite unusually high water this fall, the sun was shining when Botetourt County middle school students paddled a portion of the James River and searched for aquatic insects in Catawba Creek. These field experiences were part of an ongoing initiative for Mountain Castles Soil & Water Conservation District which focuses on helping create the next generation of land and water stewards.
Nearly 50 eighth graders from Read Mountain Middle School paddled a section of the James River near Oxbow Farm in Springwood. For some, it was their first experience on the river. The students, who were all part of Ronda Malcolm’s STEM class, have been studying sustainability issues all semester. “We’ve looked at negative impacts of stormwater around the school,” said Tim Miller of Mountain Castles SWCD, “but it’s great to get students on the water so they can appreciate the beauty of what we’re trying to protect.”
The paddle was led by Beth Wiegandt of Camp Bethel’s “Your Outdoor Classroom.” Weigandt is an American Canoe Association certified instructor. “This is our first paddling experience with students, so we wanted it to be perfect,” said Miller. “Beth and her staff are the best.”
In the future, Miller hopes to include more schools in the field experience, which included a hay wagon tour showcasing conservation practices on Oxbow Farm, led by Kate Lawrence of Virginia Cooperative Extension. “The more we can show the great conservation work many Botetourt County farms are doing, the better,” said Miller.
For the third consecutive year, nearly 200 Botetourt County sixth graders participated in a Meaningful Watershed Educational Experience (MWEE) at the Roanoke Cement farm on Catawba Creek. Students and teachers spent the morning collecting, identifying and counting aquatic “critters” to help determine stream health. Students also tested the amount of dissolved oxygen, sediment, and nutrients in the stream. Sediment and nutrient pollution are the two biggest obstacles to Chesapeake Bay clean-up efforts.
Miller praised the support of Roanoke Cement for the MWEE program, which has students visiting the farm twice a year. “Roanoke Cement has been a great community partner,” said Miller. “They have welcomed us into this space to use as a learning laboratory for Botetourt County students.” Roanoke Cement also provided volunteers and hosted a “cement chemistry” station.
Miller will follow up with students as they develop an “action project” to apply what they’ve learned. “The action project is key,” said Miller. “If students can’t apply what they’ve learned, even in some small way, then we haven’t been successful.”
These field experiences are supported by the Chesapeake Bay Restoration Fund. The “Bay plate” grant is funded through sales of the “Friend of the Chesapeake” license plate in Virginia. The grant funds education and restoration projects throughout Virginia’s Chesapeake Bay watershed. To purchase a plate, click here.