Westfield Students Learn Lessons From Environmental 'Ambassadors'

WESTFIELD, NJ - Representatives from the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection shared the importance of watershed stewardship and what can be done to protect the state’s water regions with Tamaques School fifth graders on Jan. 4.

A watershed is an area of land that drains into a body of water such as a river, lake, stream, or bay. There are five water regions in New Jersey and 20 watershed management areas.

Four members of the AmeriCorps New Jersey Watershed Ambassadors Program visited Tamaques School and students rotated between hands-on presentations that included taking a close look at how macroinvertebrates help to determine the health of a body of water, following the journey a simple drop of water makes, acting out the varied ways water can be polluted, and becoming Clean Water Rangers as they examined ways they can help to protect New Jersey’s watersheds.

“In social studies, our curriculum looks at global connections. We analyze case studies in different continents, using the five themes of geography. The idea of water as a limited global resource is seen in most, if not all, of the case studies,” said Tamaques 5th grade teacher
Victor Alfonso who coordinated this year’s watershed ambassador visit.
“Concepts like a watershed, freshwater, ecosystems, food chains, food webs, point and non-point pollution and resource competition are explored.”

Alfonso said these concepts also apply to the fifth grade science curriculum and that there are other connections to be made as well.

“Our Sandy Hook field trip allows us to case study the watershed and ecosystem there,” he said. “And we can find connections with our community garden watershed in front of our school. We learn how important conservation, preservation, and sustainable development are to our community and world.”

Ten-year-old Patrick Greeley said he learned almost every tiny garbage or waste that goes into the watershed will affect the environment in that area.

“I learned that it’s up to all of us to do our part, even if it is just one little piece of garbage," Greeley said. "Pollution can and must be stopped.”

Ten-year-old Hope Walsh said she found the presentation very beneficial.

“It taught me that things in everyday life are hurting the watershed including littering, car oil dripping in parking lots, and factories. I now try to not do things that hurt the watershed, including not littering,” she said.

Alfonso said he appreciates the support and collaboration of all who helped to “provide this unique learning experience for the students.”

(Photos courtesy of the Westfield School District)

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