September 2017 Newsletter
Welcome to the new school year!

It was a busy summer. I instructed at an National Park Service virtual education training for park rangers in Harper's Ferry, VA, viewed the 2017 Total Solar Eclipse from Madras, OR, conducted several successful astronomy programs around the park, and planned new programs and changes to the park's education plan. All of these experiences reminded me about how much I love learning from scientists and other experts and working with fellow rangers and the public.

That is what field experiences are about! Sparking enthusiasm and interest. When students are given the opportunity to explore and experience new things inside and outside of the classroom, they too can be inspired to learn more, do more, and make a difference. If I had remained in my office all summer I would not have been inspired and challenged in the same way as my field experiences challenged me.

This year The River Mile Network offers a variety of opportunities and challenges for you and your students.

  • The River Mile's website is up and running with the new community where participants can network with each other in the open forum and in small customized groups. You can ask questions and share documents and materials.
  • The River Mile Academy will be offered twice this year! November 13th in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho as part of the Spokane River Forum Conference and April 23rd at the Davenport Hotel, in Spokane, WA as part of the Lake Roosevelt Forum Conference..
  • Teacher training opportunities such as "Student Action Clubs" and "FieldSTEM" (maybe even an astronomy training).
  • Crayfish Blog - learn about crayfish and how you can help out without a big commitment.
  • and more....

Remember to take advantage of opportunities that come your way. You never know where they will lead you.

As we enter the 10th year of The River Mile I wish that your and your students’ year be filled with exciting and challenging opportunities and experiences! I look forward to hearing all about them!

Sincerely,
Janice Elvidge, Program Director

Upcoming Events
2017 Water Festival
September 19th - 20th
The Water Festival in Kettle Falls, WA offers 2nd through 5th grade students a hands-on activity day focused on water quality, biology, and hydrology.

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The River Mile at Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area Teacher Training
September 27, 2017
Back after a few years, this get together training is for all interested teachers in the Lake Roosevelt local area. We will explore the new student program we are offering this year and share about The River Mile Network. Free clock hours and lunch are offered.
Location: Fort Spokane Day Use Area
Natural Resource Career Day
October 11
Are your students unsure about life after high school? Join us for the Natural Resource Career Day where students can experience a day in the life of local resource managers. Presenters include park rangers, fisheries, conservationists, and more.

Held at the Fort Spokane Day Use Area

Look for our reservation reminder coming soon!
Spokane River Forum Conference
November 14th - 15th
The Spokane River Forum conference is a two-day conference and symposium with local students, business leaders, scientists, elected officials, and more. It is similar to the Lake Roosevelt Forum Conference with a focus on the Spokane River and Lake Coeur d'Alene.

Topics include water quality, water rights, recreation and stewardship, and ecology.

The River Mile Academy
November 13th
Held in Conjunction with the Spokane River Forum Conference in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho.

More details to come.
OSPI Informal Science Educator Meeting
February 7, 2018
Spokane, WA
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The River Mile Academy
April 23, 2018
Held in Conjunction with the Lake Roosevelt Forum Conference at the Historic Davenport Hotel in Downtown Spokane.
Lake Roosevelt Forum Conference
April 24th - 25th , 2018
The Lake Roosevelt Forum will host the conference at the Davenport Hotel in Spokane. Speakers include students, professors, tribal members, as well as federal and state officials who will speak on climate change, local fisheries, education, and research.
OSPI Informal Science Educator Meeting
April 9, 2018
Vancouver, WA
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Student Science Symposium
May 24th, 2018
This Spokane-based event offers 3rd-12 th  grade students the opportunity to explore how local scientists and resource managers study and manage the natural and cultural resources of our watershed .

Space for this event is limited. Registration opens in 2018.
Have an event you'd like to promote?
Contact us to list your event!
Our network partners are always on the move. If you would like to see your next event in our quarterly newsletter, please contact us using the link below.


Want to see it on The River Mile's website? Use the link below.

Columbia River Watershed News
Health Advisory for Columbia River Fish
A Cycling Salmon and the Columbia River Treaty
The Columbia Basin Herald reports that elevated levels of mercury and polychlorinated biphenols (PCBs) have been found in popular game fish species near Hanford Reach.
An American student studying water resources at Quest University in Squamish, B.C. has completed a 2000-kilometer-plus journey to gain a better understanding of the Columbia River watershed. 
Mapping Disasters with GIS
Floods: Not just a coastal issue
In the wake of Hurricane Harvey, EarthSky.org takes a look at the increase of urban development in flood zones through GIS mapping.

The article also explains the statistics of 100-year floods and how peak stream flow is calculated mathematically.
Visitor center flooding at Huntsville State Park in Huntsville, Texas
Hurricane StoryMaps
GIS can be used to track hurricanes and other natural disasters in real time using data taken from the air and ground. These StoryMaps show data on Harvey, Irma, and other major storms around the world.
Photo credit: Texas CCC Parks
The River Mile Blog News
We will be bringing the new blog online in the coming months. Keep watching the website for new content from the students at Columbia School.
The River Mile Website News
To join the community just go to therivermile.org click on "joinTRM" and complete the network registration form. Once you log in you can request membership in community groups. Don't see a group you think would be valuable? Send the suggestion to the webmaster.

In the coming weeks and months, we will continue updating the website to include new maps, apps, and content related to all of the wonderful projects schools are conducting with their outdoor classrooms.

New features include :
  • the new crayfish blog, written by the remarkable students at Columbia School in Hunters, WA;
  • the newly designed online library;
  • and the ability to view and submit events to the event calendar

There are feedback buttons on the web pages for you to submit suggestions for content and organization ideas; and a form to submit documents, websites, PowerPoints, videos and other resources to the online library.

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