Watershed Education
Whatcom Conservation District provides many opportunities for K-12 students to learn more about our local watershed. From our mobile watershed model to visits to local wellheads, we take a hands-on approach to connecting with our local water systems.
Whatcom Explorer
The Whatcom Explorer: Mobile Watershed is a hands-on educational tool that allows participants to connect with their local watershed and examine the natural movement of streams and rivers. Using the two features of the Explorer–the topographic model and the sand table–participants can see how a watershed works on both a large and small scale. Watersheds are complex systems, and the learning possibilities using this incredible teaching tool are numerous.
The Topographic Model
The removable lid of the Whatcom Explorer is the topographic model, highlighting the mountains and waterways of western Whatcom County. Participants can look for landmarks such as Mount Baker, the Salish Sea, islands, lakes, cities, and more to find how they connect to this landscape--and how the landscape is connected to the flow of water through it.
The Sand Table
Nested within the trailer is the sand table, which models the flow of water through a landscape. It consists of a bed of crushed PVC that can be formed into channels and waterways for the flow of water, which is pumped from a tank underneath the table. Since the crushed PVC is 60% as dense as quartz sand, participants can see the natural processes being demonstrated (such as erosion and deposition) happen at an accelerated rate. This part of the Explorer helps bring the dynamic nature of watersheds to life.
Water Systems Education
As our municipal and farm water systems are tied to our local watershed, we also provide educational experiences to connect students to how water is used by communities. This includes visits to water treatment plants, wellheads, farms, and schoolyard stormwater walks. By learning about these systems, students become better acquainted with where their water comes from, where it goes, how to prevent pollution and how to save our water resources.
Connect with Us
Whether geared toward community education or catered to the classroom, we want to bring watershed education to you! You can find the Whatcom Explorer Mobile Watershed at many conservation-centered events around Whatcom County; if you know of an event that would benefit from this, we want to hear about it! As well, we offer Whatcom Explorer lessons to all 4th grade teachers in Whatcom County, and are also open to ways it can be used for other grade levels and classes. If you are a teacher looking to bring this educational experience to your school, you can submit a request and we will make a plan with you! In many instances, we have grant funding to make this free for you and your students.
Whatcom Explorer Request Form
If you have any questions about the Explorer, or would like to collaborate on an education program tied to what your students are learning about water or watersheds, please reach out to our Education and Outreach Technician, Adam Brayton, at abrayton@whatcomcd.org or 360-526-2381 x133.
