CENTER
FOR SUSTAINABLE COMMUNITIES, DELAWARE VALLEY EARTH FORCE TO HOST WATERSHED
INSTITUTE FOR EDUCATORS
Understanding
the interactions of the numerous waterways within the region is a daunting
undertaking. Protecting it and maintaining a clean, sustainable water
system for today and tomorrow is harder still.
To
help educators develop the skills to teach their students about watershed
protection in new and exciting ways, Delaware Valley Earth Force and the
Center for Sustainable Communities (CSC) at Temple University Ambler will
host a “Watershed Facilitators Institute” from Monday, August 9, to
Thursday, August 12.
The
four-day program, specifically designed for educators, will be held
predominantly at the Ambler campus. Participants will spend Tuesday,
August 10, at the Pennypack Ecological Restoration Trust in Huntingdon
Valley conducting fieldwork exercises as part of the institute program.
“The vision of Earth Force and the Center is to create a network of facilitators with the skills, knowledge, and resources needed to conduct Earth Force Watershed Protection Workshops in their schools and communities,” said Susan Spinella, Administrator for Research and Operations for the Department of Community and Regional Planning (CRP) and the Center for Sustainable Communities at Temple University Ambler.
According
to Earth Force event organizers, the Watershed Facilitators Institute is
designed to train educators in Earth Force’s Community Action and
Problem Solving (CAPS) teaching strategy in addition to generally
exploring watersheds and watershed issues.
By
taking part in the institute, educators will have the opportunity to
experience an interactive approach to learning about watersheds, learn
water-quality testing and monitoring techniques, investigate stormwater
management and flooding issues, develop training programs for fellow
educators and community leaders, and learn from Temple experts about how
Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software is used in environmental
decision-making. Educators will also earn Act 48 credits for their
participation, a requirement to maintain certification in Pennsylvania.
The
Center for Sustainable Communities has been involved in educational
programs and research geared toward protecting watershed and regional
water resources since its inception. The Center is nearing completion of a
30-month study of the 56-square-mile Pennypack Creek Watershed in
southeastern Pennsylvania. Through this extensive study, the Center is
developing new floodplain maps for 12 municipalities in addition to
developing new model stormwater ordinances to help preserve regional
watersheds in the future.
“The
Center is a regional resource for local governments, community
organizations, and developers,” said Dr. Jeffrey Featherstone, Director
of the Center for Sustainable Communities and Chair of the Department of
Community and Regional Planning. “Our primary goal is to providing
objective information and services to improve decision-making relative to
land use and water resources planning and management.”
Since 1999, Delaware Valley Earth Force has trained more than 500 teachers and reached 10,000 students in the Delaware Valley region. Earth Force seeks to raise environmental literacy and develop youth skills in community problem solving and responsible citizenship. Currently the organization is working with more than 100 educators in 50 schools and community-based organizations “who are engaging more than 3,000 students in the Earth Force process,” according to the Earth Force website.
The
August 9 to 12 institute will be held in partnership with the American Red
Cross, the Pennypack Ecological Restoration Trust, the Silver Lake Nature
Center, and the Churchville Nature Center. For more information on the
Watershed Facilitators Institute, call 215-884-9888.
Temple
University Ambler College is dedicated to promoting sustainable
communities, effective land use, and environmental awareness. Students can
choose from a B.S. and M.S. in Community and Regional Planning; B.S., A.S.,
or credit certificate programs in Horticulture; or a B.S. in Landscape
Architecture. Students may begin over 100 Temple undergraduate programs
and complete a variety of degree programs on the Ambler campus in areas
such as business, communication, education, liberal arts, and nursing.
For more information on Temple University Ambler’s undergraduate
programs, call 215-283-1252.
CONTACT: James Duffy, (215) 283-1290, duffyj@temple.edu, release available via e-mail
