The first annual Watershed Management Workshop for Teachers will be held at Mansfield University July 9-10.

The workshop is designed to prepare participants to assess and monitor water quality, more fully understand watershed-related issues and apply this expertise in their own school district.

Day one will involve morning lectures on topics such as delineating watersheds, basic water chemistry and sampling techniques. Of particular importance will be the visits to functioning acid mine drainage abatement projects (vertical flow wetlands, limestone ponds and diversion wells) near Blossburg Borough and Babbs Creek, and to Tioga/Hammond Dams, an Army Corps of Engineers flood control project.

Much more than a “show and tell,” these excursions will require participants to use a GPS unit, test water samples at several sites, and use kick nets to collect aquatic insects for later identification. All of this information will be used in a mapping exercise on the second day.

The morning of day two will feature guest lecturers from Trout Unlimited, Bradford County Conservation District, Tioga County Conservation District and the Municipal Water Authority of the Borough of Mansfield who will discuss watershed-related problems they encounter.

Participants will then complete water testing and identification of macroinvertebrates from samples collected on day one. Computer activities will follow where participants learn to use DeLorme topographic software and upload their GPS data. Commonly used internet sites for mapping and for obtaining information on water quality and availability will also be demonstrated.

Finally, they will use their data to produce maps and tables relating species diversity to water quality. Teachers wishing Act 48 credit will also be required to assess the quality of a stream in their home district and submit a report on it within one month of the workshop's conclusion.

At the close of the workshop each attendee will be given a "kit" containing materials for classroom, lab, and field activities, including: a Delorme Topographic CD of the Eastern U.S. to allow for basic mapping and 3-D views of their local watersheds; an inexpensive pH testing kit suitable for field use; soil color book, one or two student-tested "lessons in a can" (self-contained classroom activities that will include master copies of handouts, background material, charts and diagrams), and a classroom exercise covering some aspect of watershed management; pamphlets, brochures and handouts collected from U.S.G.S., the Department of Environmental Protection, Fish and Boat Commission, PA Geological Society and other resources; and, a list of helpful websites along with local, state and federal contacts related to watershed management.

This dynamic Conference will be held at Mansfield University. A block of rooms is available on campus. If you choose to stay on campus for one night, the conference fee is $55. If you are local to the Mansfield area, the conference fee is $30.

For more information visit the Watershed Management Workshop for Teachers webpage, or contact Dr. Jennifer Demchak at 570-662-4613.

4/4/2008