“As a Watershed Ranger, I promise to protect and care for our community and the San Lorenzo River. I promise to continue to explore the San Lorenzo River, ask what I can do to help out and share what I know with others.”
–Watershed Ranger Pledge
We all live in a watershed and we all can make a difference, no matter our age. The Watershed Rangers education program connects, inspires and empowers Santa Cruz County youth to explore and protect their local watersheds through meaningful hands-on learning and action. During the school day, students engage in four sessions of hands-on scientific investigation and study of their local watershed, increasing their awareness of local environmental issues and how they can be part of the solution. In partnership with local youth organizations, after-school participants engage in hands-on exploration of the San Lorenzo River and take direct action to support the health of the San Lorenzo River and broader Santa Cruz community.
Build Personal Connections
Students build connections to their watersheds in ways personally relevant to them.
Inspire Daily Participation in Sustainable Practices
Students make an impact in their community and watershed.
Increase Environmental Literacy
Students build knowledge of scientific concepts and understand impacts to the health of a watershed.
Empower Youth
Students recognize their full potential and their valuable contributions to the community. A focus is placed on not on the future potential of youth but on demonstrating how they can make a difference and contribute today.
Watershed Rangers in Action:
Seeing Clearly: Measuring Water Quality with Watershed Rangers
By Erin Loury, CWC Communications AssistantEarlier this spring, I had the opportunity to join an after-school field trip to the San Lorenzo River with students from Gault Elementary School. After a few months of assisting the Coastal Watershed Council part-time with...
Green Classroom Action Projects for Everyone!
Check out CWC’s new Action Project Guide for a healthier watershed and learn how the Coastal Watershed Council’s education team supported this year’s Teacher Leadership Institute for Sustainability (TLIS) to make “Every Classroom a Green Classroom”!
Fiesta de los Artes: Combining Science, Art and Community
CWC’s Maria Rocha and Sam Adelson are back at Bay View Elementary School again, not to teach but to party! Bay View’s annual Fiesta de los Artes is a community event bringing family, friends, local organizations and students of Bay View together to support and celebrate the arts. Check out this blog post to learn how CWC’s partnership with Bay View Elementary continues to flourish.
Learn how Watershed Rangers is making an impact:
“As a Watershed Ranger I pledge to be respectful and responsible to my watershed. I will help my watershed in any way I can. I pledge to enlighten the people who live in the watershed. I will be kind, willing and friendly. I will use my wisdom of the watershed to help and teach many other people.”
“The Coastal Watershed Council education program allowed my students to spend time being scientists in Fall Creek. They were able to do a survey of the stream and test the quality of the water using scientific tools. The chance to participate in hands-on science outdoors is invaluable!”
“I pledge to protect and conserve wildlife and natural features, to help make the world a better place and try to get people to do the same.”
“The Coastal Watershed Council has been bringing exceptional education to the 6th graders at New Brighton Middle School for years. Our kids are proud of their environmentally-aware community, and they really appreciate learning how to be even better stewards through their work with the CWC.”