Location: Various field sites, Delta - Cosumnes River region

Sponsored By: CA Department of Water Resources; Cosumnes River Preserve; Galt Joint Unified Elementary School District; Water Education Foundation and Partners.

Register: Please click here to reserve your spot or contact John Durand at jdurand@galt.k12.ca.us for more information.

Description: Join us this summer and fall for a multi-day exploration of the Cosumnes River and eastern Delta area to learn about regional water resources and ecosystems, human interactions and how they connect to statewide California water systems and provide valuable services that sustain wildlife, agriculture and protect our communities.

Build your own environmental literacy as we explore the connections between local water infrastructure, ecosystems and our statewide California water systems. Participants will hear from water resource and aquatic ecosystem professionals and experience Project WET activities to engage students in exploring concepts and skills straight out of Common Core and Next Generation Science Standards.

Highlights of the institute include:

• An introduction to local water resource issues and science concepts through presentations by practicing water and other natural resource professionals;
• Field experiences exploring local water resources and ecosystems – including a July canoe trip down the Cosumnes River to its confluence with the Mokelumne and an October sunrise among thousands of migratory sandhill cranes & waterfowl;
• Touring a regional water treatment plant and learning about its role in regional sustainability and resiliency efforts;
• Receiving a copy of the new guide;
• Engagement in a variety of exemplary lessons and activities that promote conceptual learning, critical thinking and decision-making skills that are the bedrock of Next Generation Science and Common Core Standards;
• Learning about school programs offered by the Cosumnes River Preserve and other institute partners – including available field trip funds for Sacramento and San Joaquin County schools;
• A $100/day stipend that will be paid upon conclusion of the institute, including completion of a curriculum integration project;
• An opportunity to purchase 2 units of credit through CSU Chico.

Institute dates are July 10 and 11, October 25 and a Zoom sharing of your curriculum integration project on November 1 from 8:30 – Noon.

The $50 registration fee includes all materials, breakfast and lunch for three of the days and a copy of Project WET’s new Water & Earth Systems guide. Registration is limited to 30 participants.