Activities will focus on engagement in citizen science through the monitoring and reporting of terrestrial and aquatic invasive species. Several of the sessions will offer engaging learning opportunities for the youth involved, while getting outdoors to engage in hands-on learning, with guidance from professionals in the natural resource field. Through this program, youth will participate in an engaging learning environment which, in turn, will enable and encourage youth to develop and investigate their own scientific work!
There are multiple event dates for this program, you can attend all or just one!
Session 1: Kickoff Event - CANCELLED
Session 2: Introduction
- Get to know the other Water Watchers and learn how to design a scientific experiment and make meaningful, detailed observations through an experiment with moss guided by the naturalist, Sean, at Wild River State Park!
- Friday, June 28
- Wild River State Park (39797 Park Trail, Center City, MN 55012)
- 11:30 am - 3:30 pm
- $7.00 day pass/vehicle required to enter park. Passes can be purchased online or at park entrance on the day of the event.
Session 3: Terrestrial Invasive Species
- Visit Lion’s Park in Lindstrom with Maria from Wild River Conservancy as we learn about the difference between native and invasive species. We’ll also begin to learn how to identify some invasive species and see what efforts are being done to limit the spread of these harmful plants!
- Wednesday, July 10
- Lion’s Park, Lindstrom (13292 Sylvan Ave, Lindstrom, MN 55045)
- 9:30 am - 1:30 pm
Session 4: Aquatic Invasive Species
- Become an actual scientist and look for aquatic invasive species in West Rush Lake with Susanna and Camden from Chisago County’s Water Resources. Learn how to use the tools that scientists use to survey which species are present in the lake and how to identify them!
- Wednesday, July 24
- Dennis Frandsen County Park (1331 N Lake Dr E, Braham, MN 55006)
- 9:30 am - 1:30 pm
Session 5: Recreation
- Explore Chisago County’s waters as a recreational resource in a yet to be determined activity! Current possibilities include fishing, kayaking/canoeing, boating, etc.
- Tuesday, July 30
- Location TBD
- Time TBD
Session 6: Starry Trek*
- In this optional session, meet at Central Park in North Branch with Chisago County Water Resources and Wild River Conservancy where you will receive a brief training on how to identify starry stonewort and other target aquatic invasive species and how to follow the search protocols. Groups are then sent out to nearby priority lakes to follow the protocols and bring back any suspicious organisms!
- Saturday, August 10
- Central Park, North Branch (38780 8th Ave, North Branch, MN 55056)
- 8:00 am - 1:00 pm
- *optional session, we will meet at Central Park before being assigned a local lake to survey. Transportation to the lake will not be provided.
Additional information such as materials needed, drop-off/pick-up locations and times, etc. for each session will be shared as the date approaches.
Audience - Youth in grades 5 - 10
Cost
- Free to register - Register on 4H Online
- $7 for state park entrance in Session 2 (pay upon entry into park)
- Transportation is required to each session,
Registration
Registration opens in 4-H Online on 05/30/2024 and closes on 06/21/2024. To register, log in (or if new to 4-H enroll), at 4-H Online. For assistance, refer to the event registration guide or contact Josiah Cole at colex300@umn.edu.
Accessibility
University of Minnesota Extension is committed to providing equal opportunity for participation in all programs, services, and activities. To request accommodations for persons with disabilities, contact Josiah Cole two weeks before the start of the event. Requests received after this date will be honored whenever possible.
Event Information
Location:
Various locations around Chisago County
Time:
Mornings and early afternoons
Contact:
Josiah Cole colex300@umn.edu