MAPPING THE RIO NEWS:

Mapping the Rio program has been featured in two recent El Defensor Chieftain articles: http://www.dchieftain.com/news/89182-05-23-09.html http://www.dchieftain.com/news/89403-06-03-09.html


Please see our list of great projects and see our adorable show poster (from last year) just below my May, 2009 report to the Friends of the Bosque board.
Thank you,
Alexis Rykken
Education Director,
Mapping the RioWatershed Education Project
Friends of the Bosque del Apache NWR

REPORT
Mapping the Rio Watershed Education

River ecology is all about connections, and educational programs work best when connection is their basic structure. During my eight week sessions with the kids I ask questions over and over to help students make connections, to provoke their questions.

Why do we study the river? How is the river connected to our lives? How are wetlands connected to the water cycle? What is the value of wetlands to bugs and birds, and frogs, and turtles and people? What happens when we drain wetlands? Pollute wetlands? How do migrating birds find their way when we impact the rivers they follow? How do trees reseed when the river is controlled by dams? How is ocean evaporation connected to the mountains in Colorado? How does the Rio change from the headwaters to the Gulf? If we see river as a resource what does that allow us to do? How do attitudes change when we see river as river, as lifeblood? How can we make our voices heard? How do we speak from the point of view we are partners with the river? Why are our voices important?

When students become active rather than passive learners they ask questions. They have ideas and thoughts. Awareness. They suggest projects. They begin to change their attitudes all on their own. They connect with the concepts. Restoration, conservation, evaporation, infiltration, groundwater, habitat, refuge, observation take on meaning for them. My students are young, but they are aware of the big picture. Most of all they care, and therefore they see differently. They gain concepts that truly do lead to critical thinking.

Mapping the Rio works with the kids to develop a center of inner discipline (a respectful way of being.) Number 1 lesson - It's not about us, It's about being quiet, observant. It's about expanding our thinking to include all of nature. By letting go of the need to yap, and project ourselves everywhere we open our eyes and ears and hearts - and truly wonderful scientists, artists, photographers are born.

This spring I worked exclusively with Parkview Elementary - two kindergarten classes and a second grade. We created watershed models, murals, field journals, wetland habitats. We exhibited one large watershed model at the Parkview Science Fair. This model was a magnet for interest and questions.

Preston, my second grade teacher, has been documenting our classes on the school district web site.
An exhibit of our photos is on display at the Socorro School Administration building. Lovely photos of the kids! Thank You Erv for the beautiful print job!
A river exhibit will be on display at the Socorro Chamber of Commerce the month of June.
We also have, at last, a great Mapping the Rio banner.

A brief update on some breaking news: In April Dennis Prichard, Deputy at Sevilleta NWR hosted a week long NCTC School Yard Habitat Workshop. NWR staff from far and wide participated. The focus was to solve a drainage problem in the courtyard at Parkview. The NCTC group interviewed teachers, determined the landscape. By the end of the week this amazing group presented a power point including 3 proposals to Parkview staff. One proposal ( a Watershed ) originated from one of Mapping the Rio's watershed murals. This is quite exciting to envision a school's future focused on watershed ed. Dennis and I talked, the principal and I talked, Vannetta and I talked, and Leigh Ann and I talked - as to how I could help further this along. One thing I would like to do is liven up the science lab. The Friends board might consider contributing materials to the science lab. Dennis suggested he & I attend a board meeting to give you a thorough picture, perhaps in July. Following are some suggestions and thoughts I proposed to Kim, Parkview's principal.

To Kim:

Parkview Elementary Talking Points 2009- 2010 Watershed Education Year

Set Up Science lab (to reflect Mapping the Rio & courtyard studies)
-Display/create Watershed projects
-Watershed models
-Groundwater model
-Water cycle models
-Aquatics studies
Materials
-Magi scopes
-Groundwater model

Front Hall Exhibit Center

Watershed/Interdisciplinary Teacher Seminars (college credit may be available)
-Develop science based patterns of study
-Watershed Project: a specific theme- Ecology, Ecosystems, Water cycle, Climate Change, River, Wetlands, Bugs, Trees, Plants, Animals...
-On going projects: Rio Grande Maps --Migration Maps. Original River stories, Crane stories, Wetland/Water Drop Stories -facts, concepts, and imagination.
-Active vs passive learning
-Photography/Artwork/Writing ( hands to brain theory)
-Indoor/ Outdoor projects...
-Presenters

Continue 8 week sessions

Alex

NEW PROJECTS INCLUDE:

1) RIVER KEEPERS- a project with the 9th Grade Academy at Socorro High

2) Added to LIVING TREE PROJECT- Presbyterian Hospital, Albuquerque Origami Cranes

3) CRANE ECOLOGY- a nine week project with the third grade at San Antonio Elementary. We will spend a day each week writing, drawing and studying cranes and waterfowl at the refuge with thoughts toward a book of poetry, art, wetlands and rivers, Science and Art.

4) Exhibit our 4' x 6' mural at the Socorro District Administration Building as well as photos of the Watershed project

5) Cottonwood Chapter's fourth grade class is scheduled to participate in out Mapping the Rio Project Jan 10-Feb 28

6) Our latest power point documents all aspects of Mapping the Rio

7) We will have our annual Mapping the Rio photo/projects reception/exhibit at Macey Center in Socorro April 21-May 30

8) 5 day river seminar for the graduate studies program at Adams State College in Alamosa this summer.

MENTORING OUR FUTURE: Mapping the Rio, although specifically designed to explore the ecology/geography of the Rio Grande watershed, has a major passionate goal- to mentor the deeper instincts for wonder and discovery, play and meandering- the deeper place of the human spirit where love and care and hope reside. It is crucial we nurture this place of wonder and creativity in ourselves and in our children.

A wonderful "living river scupture" is part of our Macey Center February month long exhibit which will include our river photos, art and DVD.

Jan 8th Alexis presented to 2 groups in Alamosa, Colorado -a Wetlands Focus Group in the am and a Roundtable Group in the afternoon. These were diverse groups (ranchers, environmentalists, refuge people) working in collaboration with the river - connecting to the river

Thank you everyone for making our show a fabulous success!
Mapping the Rio Children's Art, Science & Photography Exhibit
Presented by The Friends of the Bosque del Apache NWR
at Macey Center Art Gallery, New Mexico Tech, Socorro, NM
In conjunction with NM Wild Film Series
We appreciate your support!


Click here to download this color poster for printing (1.1MB)

Please check here for information and news about the Refuge and the Friends of the Bosque del Apache: www.FriendsoftheBosque.org

Our latest project is a Rio Grande Film Documentary titled "Rio Grande, River of Connection,", This DVD of the Rio Grande from the headwaters to the Bosque del Apache NWR was completed in November of 2007 and is available online for only $10 in the Friends of the Bosque secure online store. where you can also donate to the Educational Fund. Thank you.


Thank you for visiting and for your support!

For More Information: Alexis Rykken
Watershed Education
Friends of the Bosque NWR
PO Box 340 San Antonio, NM 87832
575-838-2110
e-mail mappingtherio@sdc.org

www.FriendsoftheBosque.org/rio