Environmental Science Students Fishing for Boots

Funded Oct 15, 2010

When I set up the Donor's Choose account, I was doubtful that we would actually be able to get the boots; and if we did, it would be in time for our Earth Day Stream Team river clean-up next April. The boots and waders arrived two days before our water quality testing date, so we were able to use them right away! I organized them by size and had the students sign them out with the understanding that if they wore them, they would return them rinsed off. Every pair was used and all returned rinsed.

The waders were particularly popular. My students were unfamiliar with them but thought they were "stylin'" and once on, were bold about entering the river. Although the results of the water quality tests showed that the water was actually worse this year than last, we found more macro-invertebrates and fish "Ooh, I found a mayfly larvae, I'll name him Ted!" This must have been because we had more keen eyes in the water, and that's all because of your boots.

Thirty of the kids will be going to a neighboring elementary school tomorrow to teach younger children why it's important not to throw trash in our watershed. They will tell them first-hand about the river and how it is a wonderful resource for our community. I tell them that it's my goal to go kayaking down the river before I retire and that the work they do is an important step to getting there. Thank you so very much for your donation!”

With gratitude,

Ms. Hubinger