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| Vicki Watson in front of the Clark Fork River at Milltown in Fall 2006 |
Vicki Watson is a Professor of Environmental Studies at the University of Montana. She has been a friend to our director, Deb Fassnacht, and gotten involved with WEN's activities since the organization's beginning, and frequently sends her students our way to volunteer. In reflecting on her relationship with WEN, Vicki shared the following:
"WEN helps people of all ages learn about our streams and share their knowledge with others (another good way to learn). Middle school kids have fun learning stream science -- physics, chemistry and biology. Older students and adults learn how to share their knowledge with younger stream scientists. And some citizen scientists (the Stream Team) conduct useful studies of our streams that help us assess the health of streams and the need for any protective actions.
"I have been grateful for the opportunity WEN has provided to my students to get experience in sharing their knowledge and love of streams with younger folks. And the opportunity to work on citizen science projects -- some of those students have since set up citizen science projects elsewhere.
"I have also helped with some of the class field trips, and it is always a delight to see the kids on the stream -- some run around enjoying the freedom of the outdoors, while others are quite serious and focused on the science exercise. The diversity of responses is part of the magic.
"These learning opportunities have inspired some students to become stream scientists, and have inspired many more to become stream protectors. And our streams certainly need informed stream protectors.
So many thanks to WEN for providing stream access and training and fun."
You can help WEN provide more meaningful outdoor educational experiences for students of all ages by donating to WEN on Missoula Gives May 6 & 7, 2021: https://www.missoulagives.org/organizations/the-watershed-education-network
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