The McKenzie Watershed Council's educational goal is to: Promote community understanding and stewardship of the watershed through outreach and education.

The Council's objective: McKenzie Watershed residents, students, teachers, organizations and user groups have knowledge about Council activities and key issues related to the health of the watershed and participate in monitoring and habitat improvement efforts. The above interests understand how their actions and efforts contribute to the quality of the watershed's environment.

The McKenzie Watershed Council provides free educational programs for:

• Formal Education programs for teachers and students K-12th grade, in the McKenzie, Marcola, Springfield and Eugene 4J school districts. Natural Resources Scholarship and a natural resources library.
• Community Educational programs for organizations, groups and community events, and community service projects.

FORMAL EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS

To schedule any of the activities/programs below, or for further information please call the Council's office at 541-687-9076

Classroom Activities:

Salmon Picnic
Grades K-12 Time: 1 hour
This interactive presentation uses props to help tell the story of the Spring Chinook Salmon. It can be adapted to meet any grade level. Working through the life cycle of the salmon, connections are made to the watershed and impacts to the salmon. Students connect their own lives with that of the salmon, and learn what they can do to make a difference in our watershed to help restore the salmon habitat in the McKenzie River.

McKenzie Watershed Salmon Game
Grades 6-12 Time: 1 hour
This board game follows the migration path of the Spring Chinook Salmon, from the headwaters of the McKenzie to the ocean and back. Along the way, students review the life cycle of the salmon and learn first hand how difficult it is to survive and make it back to spawn. This activity is great for classrooms studying Threatened and Endangered species and fisheries issues.

Classroom and Field Trip Support:

This section is based on individual teacher needs and can be tailored to meet class needs in the outdoors or in the classroom. The McKenzie watershed Council has equipment to loan. A Resource Specialist may be available to help you. Looking for a special place to go…for that field trip in your own backyard? The McKenzie Watershed has wonderful places to explore. Contact the Council office and let us help you find that perfect spot.

Macroinvertebrates Study
Grades 4-12
Macroinvertebrate (aquatic insects) are excellent indicators of water quality. Introduce your students to these fascinating insects, learn how to collect and identify them and their pollution tolerances. Equipment includes; collection nets, scrubbers, ice cube trays/ sorting trays and identification keys.

Water Quality Testing
Grades 5-12
Chemistry comes alive when testing water for pollution. Engage your students in water chemistry, and observe, measure and chart results of their water tests. Equipment includes dissolved oxygen kit, turbidity meter, conductivity and temperature meter.

Riparian Function
Grades 5-12
Students identify the riparian area, and discover the basic functions of a riparian zone. Students analyze vegetation changes occurring along the stream and identify native and non-native plants, trees and shrubs. Equipment includes 100 yd tape and flagging.

Teacher Resources:

Teacher Workshops
The McKenzie Watershed Council co-sponsors teacher workshops with the Lane ESD. Workshop topics focus on current issues in the watershed. Curriculum and activity guides featuring; Project Learning Tree, Project WILD, Project WET, Fire Ecology of the Pacific Northwest, Stream Scene, and water quality testing.

Teacher Workshops schedule for the 03-04 school year:

• Jan. 29th; Project Learning Tree/Project WET. K-12, Free workshop, substitute reimbursement is available. Held at the Lane ESD from 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
  
• March 4th & 5th; Watershed Connections, 5-9 grades, free workshop, substitute reimbursement is available. Held at the Lane ESD from 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Receive Project Learning Tree and Aquatic WILD guides. Identify interrelationships of forest, wildlife and humans. Connect with community-based education and learn how easy it is to start your own project.
  
• Late Spring; Fire Ecology/Project Learning Tree, Field Study/Tour of the B&B Fire complex and/or the Clark Fire (more details to follow soon).

Teacher Resources
Lane Environmental Education Providers (LEEP). LEEP provides local area information
on fields trips, tours, curriculum, workshops, grants and guest speakers? Check out this new network at: www.lane.k12.or.us/leep.

MWC Natural Resources Library; located in the Council's office include; videos, books, curriculums, and citizens handbooks on a wide range of watershed topics. All materials are available for check out, call the Council office for an appointment.

Natural Resources Scholarship Application
The McKenzie Watershed Council announces the 2006 Natural Resource Scholarship.  The scholarship is intended to help students from McKenzie, Mohawk and Thurston High Schools enter the professional fields of Natural Resources.  Click here for a PDF of the Scholarship Application.

COMMUNITY EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS

Speaker Presentations
The MWC offers 30-minute presentations for meetings and events. Topics include; what is the McKenzie Watershed Council, current topics in the watershed, how to get involved in the watershed, Salmon Picnic or McKenzie Watershed Salmon Game (see classroom activities for descriptions).

Healthy Watershed Community Service Projects
Looking for a community service project? The Council has watershed improvement projects available to youth groups, students and service/club organizations. Projects very from season to season, examples include; macroinvertebrate inventory, riparian plantings, river clean-ups and much more. Call the Council office for current projects, and get involved with watershed improvement projects.

Landowner Workshops
Landowner educational workshops focus on how to improve your property and help maintain a healthy watershed. Topics vary; native plant gardening, invasive plants, riparian function, and small acreage pasture management. Look for workshop advertisements through out the year.