Tag: educational resources

Blog Post, Educational ,

Define a watershed

by Ogeechee Riverkeeper March 2, 2022

Come up with your own definition of watershed using clear and descriptive words. The best definition of watershed will win some ORK swag!

The most commonly used definition is: “A watershed is a system of how water flows through an area moving sediment, water and dissolved materials into a common point.”

This concept can be confusing and many of us forget its meaning over time. We’re calling on *YOU* to come up with a creative and easy way to remember what a watershed is!

Submit your definition of a watershed to info@ogeecheeriverkeeper.org or tag us on social media.

Thanks to Connie at Savannah-Ogeechee Canal for the activity idea!

Additional Activity:

The Ogeechee Watershed (see map) has many types of ecosystems within it including freshwater from the Piedmont region, to blackwater rivers and swamps in the Coastal Plain region and runs all the way to the Georgia coast. Include ecological information about your watershed including but not limited to animals, soil types, plant life, human impacts and more.

Activity is open to all ages and meets the needs or can be combined with other activities for the Georgia Standards of Excellence in Science.

 

  • S3L1. Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information about the similarities and differences between plants, animals, and habitats found within geographic regions (Blue Ridge Mountains, Piedmont, Coastal Plains, Valley and Ridge, and Appalachian Plateau) of Georgia.
  • S3L2. Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information about the effects of pollution (air, land, and water) and humans on the environment.
  • S4E3. Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information to demonstrate the water cycle.
  • S6E3. Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information to recognize the significant role of water in Earth processes.

 

 

Blog Post, Educational , , , ,

Setting Seasonal Intentions for the Environment

by Ogeechee Riverkeeper January 3, 2022
via National Wildlife Federation

Do you find it hard to make and keep New Year’s resolutions? Try setting a seasonal intention instead!

Use your creativity and science skills to come up with ways you can help the environment. This can be as simple as reducing energy or water use within your own home or a larger-scale river or community clean up. We can all be stewards of the environment on a local or global level — at any age.

Identify 3 ways you can be an environmental steward* and set these as your seasonal intentions. Keep a journal of your adventures, take pictures, make art, or use any other creative method to track your progress. Share your seasonal intentions to inspire those around you. 

Send in images of your activity so we can share it on social media. Email us at info@ogeecheeriverkeeper.org. 

*Environmental Steward –  Someone who is a responsible user and a protector of the natural environment through conservation and sustainable practices.

This activity can be used as enrichment alongside Project Learning Tree activity “Every Drop Counts.”Every Drop Counts is appropriate for grades 4-8 under science, social Studies and math. The Seasonal Intentions project is appropriate for all ages and incorporates both STEM and art learning concepts.

Activity is open to all ages and meets the needs or can be combined with other activities for the following Georgia Standards of Excellence in Visual Arts.

  • VAK.RE.1 Discuss personal works of art and the artwork of others to enhance visual literacy.
  • VAK.CN.2 Integrate information from other disciplines to enhance the understanding and production of works of art.
  • VA1.CR.1 Engage in the creative process to generate and visualize ideas by using subject matter and symbols to communicate meaning.
  • VA1.CR.2 Create works of art based on selected themes.
  • VA3.CR.1 Engage in the creative process to generate and visualize ideas by using subject matter and symbols to communicate meaning.
  • VA4.CR.1 Engage in the creative process to generate and visualize ideas by using subject matter and symbols to communicate meaning.
  • VA5.CR.1 Engage in the creative process to generate and visualize ideas by using subject matter and symbols to communicate meaning.
Blog Post, Educational , , ,

Thankful for Nature

by Ogeechee Riverkeeper November 1, 2021

Share what things in nature you are thankful for with us during the month of November at info@ogeecheeriverkeeper.org or on social media with #ORKthanks.

You an also get crafty and make a “thankfulness tree” using any materials or mediums. Make individual leaves and write what in nature you are thankful for on each leaf; you can include what your friends and family are thankful for also.

Send us a photo of your Thankfulness Tree!

Activity is open to all ages. This activity can be combined with Project Learning Tree activity “We All Need Trees” which can be adapted for grades PreK-6 in Science, Social Studies, Visual Arts and Language Arts. 

Blog Post, Educational , , ,

Clean Halloween

by Ogeechee Riverkeeper October 1, 2021

During the month of October, you are challenged to participate a different kind of trick-or-treating. Put together a team of no more than 10 people and compete to collect the most trash by October 31! ORK will provide a prize to the team who collects the most trash (by weight).

RULES:

  • Make note of the location, take a photo, weigh total trash and/or recycling collected per team/individual, and send it in to info@ogeecheeriverkeeper.org.
  • Trash collection must be conducted on public lands or have permission from private landowners/river landings.
  • Each team is responsible for supplying their own litter collection supplies.
  • Each team is responsible for discarding the trash/recycling collected. BONUS: Email a picture of any repurposed item or sustainable solution.
  • Teams are encouraged to include friends/family members within your “COVID bubble,” i.e. not strangers -or- use masks and/or social distancing.

Creativity is encouraged with team name and Halloween or fall costumes (must be family friendly and appropriate for outdoor activities). Team Trash Panda, anyone?

Blog Post, Educational , , ,

Twist Tie & Tie Dye

by Ogeechee Riverkeeper June 2, 2021

Do you ever wonder what happens to the small trash from food or other product packaging after it has been thrown in the trash? Some ends up in landfills and depending what it’s made from, it may or may not break down. Some ends up in our waterways which is a problem for the plants, animals and people.

Instead of throwing these things away, try reusing them. Start saving these packaging materials next time you buy groceries, farmers market items, or online shopping.

Materials:

  • Twist ties from produce, bread, etc.
  • Rubber bands from produce, packaging, etc.
  • Bread clips
  • Plastic bags (without vents or holes)
  • Fruits & veggies if tie-dying.  Suggestions: coffee grounds, turmeric powder, beets, avocado pits, purple cabbage, spinach & carrot tops

How to Reuse:

  • Twist ties make great organizers for electrical cords. Bind gently to not kink the cords.
  • Rubber bands can be used for so many things around the house, it’s good to just have a jar of them around…or you can tie dye with them!
  • Bread clips make a wonderful tiny palate for small art. Use fine point sharpies to design and then glue them onto a surface. See ideas for unique greeting cards, holiday ornaments, fridge magnets and more! 
  • Small plastic bags are great for picking up pet waste without having to buy specific bags! If you don’t have a dog, save them and re-gift them to someone who does or recycle them – check local guidelines for recycling.
Shirt dyed with tumeric

Tie-Dye:

Instead of putting fruit and vegetable waste straight in the trash or compost, save it in the fridge until you’re ready to tie dye-naturally. You can use many veggies or scraps but they all have varying degrees of pigment.

To start out, try beets or turmeric as they have a naturally stronger pigment. Some of the colors others make might even surprise you!

Use gloves when handling dyes, even though they are natural. Do not dry in the sunlight as they will fade and only wash as needed with a mild detergent and cold water.

  • Turmeric – yellow (be careful as this will stain many surfaces)
  • Beets – red
  • Purple cabbage – red/pink
  • Avocado pits – light pink (use more than one)
  • Spinach, carrot tops – green/yellow 

More resources for natural tie dye with fruits and veggies

We’d love to see your dyeing skills! Email your photos to info@ogeecheeriverkeeper.org  or tag us on social media.

Activity is open to all ages and meets the needs or can be combined with other activities for the following Georgia Standards of Excellence in visual arts.

  • VAK.CR.2 Create works of art based on selected themes.
  • VAK.CR.4 Understand and apply media, techniques, and processes of three-dimensional art.
  • VA1.CR.1 Engage in the creative process to generate and visualize ideas by using subject matter and symbols to communicate meaning.
  • VA2.CR.2 Create works of art based on selected themes.
  • VA6.CR.2 Choose from a range of materials and/or methods of traditional and contemporary artistic practices to plan and create works of art.