Transcript Arizona Rivers - Phoenix College

Arizona Rivers
Martha P.L. Whitaker
Presentation to Science Alliance in Phoenix
August 31, 2007
Supported by a grant from Science Foundation Arizona
Science Foundation AZ - goals
 Science Technology Engineering Math
“STEM” workforce development
 K-12 Innovative Experience Program
 Motivate students and carry them beyond traditional
classrooms
 Hands-on engagement with actual professionals
 Goal-directed context that encourages design,
implementation and use of knowledge in science & math.
Arizona Rivers - goals
1. Facilitate local collaborations between students, volunteer
monitoring groups, state and local agencies for the purpose
of re-energizing the spirit of scientific discovery & inquiry
to:
 Study riparian or other aquatic ecosystems and habitats
 Monitor riparian ecology and water quality
 Develop student-based research projects
 Collect baseline data on stream restoration
2. Develop a lasting collaborative network of teachers and
citizens interested in Arizona water issues.
3. Contribute to GLOBE, Arizona Audubon and Phenology
long-term data bases
How do we do this?
Workshops
Summer workshops in Tucson, Phoenix & Flagstaff
Weekend workshops during the academic year
Yuma in January?
Training stipends for teachers $100/day
Travel stipends available
Small Grants up to $250 (equipment? Bus rental? etc?)
Implementation Grants
www.azrivers.org
Equipment check-out via Project WET & HWHP
What are the workshops about?
Fast–paced! Goal: familiarity – not a Ph.D.
Mostly topical introductions and field practice
Morning field trips to practice skills at local river
e.g. Rio Salado
Many agency/organization reps attend as guest
speakers to help develop long-term collaborations
Look for one thing to start with – build a richer more
comprehensive study plan with time.
Summer workshops – more variety;
Weekend workshops during the year – only one or two
topics
How else do we do this?
Established monitoring networks offer:
Better coordination
River restoration monitoring
Ready-made site for research and possible
project needs
Place-based, student-centered research
Classroom benefits
Raised awareness – sensitivity to ecosystems
Fostering of environmental stewardship
Application of intuitive interdisciplinary skills
Higher-order science skills (Scientific Method)
Learn, describe, apply, collect, analyze, design, adjust,
hypothesize, report, assess
Meet NSF goals
Scientific literacy, Discovery, Learning, Workforce
Practical Aspects – how do I participate?
Define an area of interest
Ask a question (we can help)
Conduct background research on issues – context!
Develop needed skills (AZrivers training!)
Acquire/borrow equipment (Small grants )
Recruit a mentor (we can help)
Start making measurements
Share your data
(not necessarily the order they need to be done in)
Who can participate?
Students
 School-based
 Home-schooled
 K-16 => Community college
Clubs
 After school
 Scouts, 4-H, FFA
Organizations
 Citizen scientists
 Watershed monitoring
groups
Current Participants
 Community colleges
 Public, charter, private schools
 Science centers
 Volunteer monitors, Citizen scientists
 Tribal communities
 Cooperative extension
 State agencies
Mentors
Possible Roles
 Help define critical
research questions
 Provide classroom
support
 Context & background
 Scientific & career advice
 Skills development
 Provide field support
 Access & transport
 Equipment
 Training
 One-on-one mentoring
Potential Collaborators
Federal Agencies
US Geologic Survey
US Army Corp of Eng.
Bureau of Land Mgmt.
State & Co. Agencies
AZ Game & Fish
AZ State Parks
Pima Parks & Rec.
Pima/Maricopa Flood
Watershed Monitors
Rio Salado, Santa Cruz,
Gila, Verde, San Pedro
Others
AZ Riparian Council
AZ Audubon
AZ Hydrologic Society
AZ Science Center
Biosphere 2
Master WS Stewards
Nature Conservancy
Central AZ Project
Salt River Project
Possible Projects
Animals
Birds
Mammals & Bats
Reptiles
Amphibians - crayfish
Insects - land & aquatic
Study:
census / inventory
seasonal changes
tracks & scat
habits
Possible Projects
Plants
Trees
Shrubs
Grasses
Flowers
Study:
transect / quadrant counts
landcover change
response to climate
create dichotomous key
Possible Projects
Water Quality
Temp
pH; conductivity
Transparency
Alkalinity
Dissolved oxygen
Nitrates
Macroinvertebrates
Monitor:
stream water quality
aquatic health assessment
Possible Projects
Geomorphology
Channel geometry
Sediment transport
Flow / No flow
Ephemeral channels
Flood/erosion impacts
Stream Restoration
Channel stabilization
Habitat restoration
Long-term monitoring
Target or Priority sites
Cities
 Rio Salado, Tempe Town Lk
 Gilbert, Tres Rios, &
Sweetwater Wetlands
 Agua Caliente
 Sabino Canyon
San Pedro
 Middle / Grey Hawk
 Aravipa
Santa Cruz
 Rio Rico, Tubac, Marana
Verde
 Prescott Rivers
 Beaver, Oak, Sycamore
creek
 Dead Horse S.P.
Gila
 Safford, San Carlos,
Yuma
Agua Fria
 Horsethief Basin
Contacts
Phoenix
Phil Pepe
[email protected]
Elena Ortiz-Barney
[email protected]
Tucson
Martha P.L.Whitaker
[email protected]
Flagstaff
Charlie Schlinger
[email protected]
Jim Washburne
[email protected]
AZ Rivers is supported by a grant from Science Foundation Arizona
Evaluation
 How we can help better
 Number & type of projects
 Demographics of participants
 Level of engagement
 Level of knowledge and skill
 Progress toward professional
development
 Accessibility of
 Mentors
 Equipment
 Study sites
 Level of satisfaction