RSS FeedsHigh school students get their hands dirty with restoration
The start of the 2010-11 school year marks the third year that the Napa County Resource Conservation District (RCD) is coordinating the SLEWS (Student and Landowner Education and Watershed Stewardship) program in Napa County. The SLEWS program engages local high school students in real habitat restoration projects that enhance their knowledge of local ecology. The program encourages students to see the power they have to effect positive change in the landscape and introduces students to possible careers in agriculture, education and natural resource conservation. One of SLEWS’ goals is to plant the seed for a lifelong connection to the natural world.
This school year, the RCD will be working with two great pairs of classes and landowners. Each of the participating classes has committed to a year-long project that includes five restoration field days at their project sites. Field day activities scheduled for this year include stream bioengineering with willows, planting native trees, shrubs, and grasses, removing invasive plant species, installing irrigation equipment, and building bird boxes.
SLEWS relies heavily on volunteers to accomplish its education and restoration goals. The RCD is looking for adults to serve as mentors to the students during the field days. SLEWS mentors develop a partnership with the students over the five work days, and they also get to participate in restoring our watershed. The RCD is also seeking restoration projects in which high schools students in future years can make a difference. Call Stephanie at 707.252.4188 x111 if you are interested in volunteering your time or project to SLEWS.
