The River Mile Network
An Education Program of the National Park Service
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Greetings
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This month we have a lot going on and would love if you could consider joining us in all the fun. As spring is slowly approaching we hope you can enjoy the warmer weather heading our way and new beginnings.
TRM Network Team
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10 recycling statistics
- The average individual creates around 4 pounds of trash in a day
- Only 25% of the plastic bottles used are recycled
- 50% of the 254 million tons of trash Americans produce is recyclable
- 2.5 million plastic bottles are used per hour
- Recycling one aluminum can power a television for 3 hours
- 34% of Americans trash is recycled
- California, Washington, and Maine have the highest recycling rates in the nation
- ⅓ of an average dummo is packing material
- It costs 147$ a ton to recycle
- 35 billion plastic bottles are thrown away in America alone
Recycling is one way to give back to our planet and to ensure that we can continue to live here and prosper.
Sources:
www.renewableresourcescoalition.org
recyclenation.com/
Author: Columbia School
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Climate change
Climate change affects the world in many different ways, but how does it affect us in the northwestern part of the united states? In the northwest climate change effects are a increase in wildfires and drought. Both of these effects are taking their toll on the northwest. The climate change will threaten and transform our way of life from the salmon streams to ski slopes.
The global average of temperature is much higher and is rapidly rising more than any modern civilization has experienced, and will only grow from human activities.
Author: Columbia School
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Invasive species
What are they?
Bullfrogs are the largest frog species in North America. They are found in a variety of freshwater habitats; including ponds, marshes, streams, rivers, canals, reservoirs, ditches, shallow wetlands, and storm water ponds. The Bullfrogs compete with and prey on a wide range of native species, they can also affect significantly native ecosystems such as wetlands.
Are they here yet?
Yes! Bullfrogs are found throughout the lowlands of Washington.
Why should I care?
Bullfrogs are predators that eat practically anything they can catch. They can swallow tree frogs, other amphibians, and reptiles such as the western pond turtle, small birds, and young snakes as well. Introduced Bullfrogs have been blamed for native species in much of North America.
What are their characteristics?
~Egg masses are black on top and white underneath. They start as a round basketball-size mass that flattens over time.
~Tadpoles are dark green with black dots, orange or bronze eyes, and opaque yellow underbellies, and are up to 6 inches long.
~Juveniles are green to brown with small black spots, orange or bronze eyes and a fold of skin from the eye around the eardrum.
~Adults are 7-8 inches, with large exposed eardrums that's the size of their eyes, and they are green, tan, or dark brown with dark spots and gold eyes.
How do I distinguish them from native species?
Native green and bronze frogs have two parallel lines of raised glandular skin between the back and sides; the Bullfrog does not have these features.
Author: Columbia School
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Renewable Energy
Renewable energy sources are part of the planet’s physical structure and are being renewed constantly by natural means and cannot be completely dilapidated. Switching to renewable energy could reduce emissions caused by fossil fuels, reduce deforestation, and it also creates jobs( in installation, and manufacturing).
Some examples renewable energy are:
- Biomass- biomass is made of waste from things like the lumber industry, farming industry and many others. Which the constant production of waste there will always be a green energy option
- Hydropower- dams are used to harvest the energy produced by the rivers going downstream. Using the force of the water the turbines turn and harvest electricity
- Solar- solar panels are used to harvest the thermal energy produced by the sun
- Wind force- standard wind turbines can generate enough electricity to power 1500 US homes
Author: Columbia School
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Investigating Crayfish and Freshwater Ecosystems
Science K-12 Educator Workshops
Upcoming workshops:
As many of you know we have been trying to bring on the crayfish study for over 5 years! Well, it is finally happening! The study begins May 1, 2019. During the month of April we will have several training opportunities so you and your students can join this citizen science project. You can choose from in-person or virtual training.
Please Note: The collection of research specimens within Lake Roosevelt NRA must be done in accordance with the regulations within 36 CFR. A permit must be approved prior to any specimen collections. For more information on permits refer to
https://www.nps.gov/laro/index.htm
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Columbia School Fundraising Night
Columbia High school sophomores are planning an event to help raise money to go to a training event In April. The event will be held at Columbia High school on March 15. The night includes bingo, a pasta feed, a dessert auction,live music, and several other independent booths. This will also have a kids corner for kids to read books and play games.
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Designing High Impact Field Experiences at Bonneville Dam . . .
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4th-12th English Language Arts and Science teachers are invited to participate in this workshop at the Bonneville Dam, starting on the Oregon side of the Columbia River. Participants will learn more about the dam and its placement, history, benefits, and challenges. PEI FieldSTEM Coordinator, Chad Mullen, Natural Resource Specialist, Robin Norris, and Park Ranger, Lesley McClintock will teach participants how to use a site to create high-impact field experiences for students.
The workshop is FREE and eligible Washington State formal educators can earn 6 Washing State approved STEM Clock Hours and an opportunity to earn a $100 implementation stipend.
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Sagebrush Ecosystem Teacher Training
April 18, 2019
The Reach Musuem
Richland, Washington
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Join Rick Reynolds, veteran educator and author of Inquiry, Exploration, and Service Learning in the Sagebrush Ecosystem and Janice Elvidge from the National Park Service and The River Mile Network as we explore a variety of resources from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), Audubon, BLM, and other partners. Earn PDUs while exploring hands-on NGSS/STEAM activities in beautiful Spokane, WA. Help us inspire students to think critically about sagebrush ecosystems and ways to protect them and their fascinating species!
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Spokane River Forum
April 16-17, 2019
Spokane, Washington
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Have an upcoming event
you'd like us to promote?
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Our network partners are always on the move. If you would like to see your next event in our quarterly newsletter, please email us at
LARO_river_mile@nps.gov.
Want to see it on The River Mile's website? Use the link below.
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The TRM blog is in the works, it has links to the social media groups and also some articles from students. The plan is to update it monthly and have information about upcoming events.
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The River Mile Website News
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Join the Community
Visit
therivermile.org
, click on "joinTRM" and complete the network registration form.
Community Groups
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.
A Work in Progress
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
- Crayfish blog, written by the remarkable students at Columbia School in Hunters, WA
- Newly designed online library
- Ability to view and submit events to the event calendar
Seeking Feedback!
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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