June 2013

Watershed Forestry Bus Tour Grants Available
Above: Students from the High School for Law and Public Service in NYC visit Stone & Thistle Farm, East Meredith, NY.

The Watershed Agricultural Council's Forestry Program offers grants (up to $3,000) to organize and implement watershed-and forestry-related field trips to the NYC water supply watersheds.

These grants are open to any organization, community group, professional association, 4th-12th grade classroom or other entity within NYC or the Catskill/Delaware Watershed regions.

During the 2012-2013 school year, 16 schools and community organizations planned and executed tours of the NYC Watersheds. These tours ranged from
professional development and curriculum
training events at Frost Valley YMCA to overnight field trips at the Ashokan Center. The Bus Tour Grant Program also supported trout releases at Ward Pound Ridge Reservation and one-day science explorations at Clearpool Education Center. Each field trip is uniquely designed to meet the curriculum needs of each group.

If you are interested in planning a project to learn about NYC water and the working landscapes that protect that water quality every day, please visit the Watershed Forestry Bus Tour Grant web page or contact Jessica Olenych of Common Ground Educational Consulting at (845) 586-1600.

Applications are due July 15, 2013.

APPLICATION (Word format)
APPLICATION (PDF format) 


TESTIMONIALS

"Without the Bus Tour Grant Program, my school would not be able to participate in the Operation Explore Program. The cost would be too much for many of the children's families. I live for this trip every year because I get personal satisfaction when I see the wonder and delight in the children's eyes as they experience nature firsthand. I hope that I am helping to create more responsible individuals and better citizens of our great world."
4th Grade Teacher, Queens, NY

"This opportunity started out with a Unit on the NYC Water System. During the roll out, it grew to include a visit to Newtown Creek Wastewater Treatment plant. After that I knew we had to see the source of this magnificent system. The Bus Tour Grant was my kids "Golden Ticket" out of the Bronx and up to the Catskills to get up close to the watershed and the reservoir systems. They loved it and really responded with all they knew from our map study and classroom lessons. Now the water's continuing linear march - from the Catskills to their homes and out to the Newtown Creek Wastewater Treatment plant - knitted the system all together in a single pipeline. They gained a new respect for the resource of water and how vital it is to our city. This was a day they will never forget."
High School Teacher, Bronx, NY

Above: "Why Would Anyone Cut Down a Tree"
contains more than 30 full-color, hand-painted illustrations by Juliette Watts.

Why Would Anyone Cut Down a Tree? 

The U.S. Forest Service recently released "Why Would Anyone Cut Down a Tree?" written by Roberta Burzynski. The book is targets children in grades 1-3, parents and educators.  


The beautifully illustrated, non-fiction children's picture book helps teachers discuss with students reasons why trees are sometimes cut down.
 
Some children are unaware that in order to reduce tree hazards, protect other trees, or provide wood, it is necessary to cut trees. The book raises awareness of the issue and features tips for planting a new tree. 

 "Why Would Anyone Cut Down a Tree" is available at no cost in PDF format from the U.S. Forest Service website and includes a mini curriculum tied to core standards.
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The Reservoir is brought to you by the Watershed Agricultural Council. The Watershed Agricultural Council is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit whose mission is to to promote the economic viability of agriculture and forestry, the protection of water quality, and the conservation of working landscapes through strong local leadership and sustainable public-private partnerships. The Council is supported by the U.S. Forest Service, New York City Department of Environmental Protection, U.S.D.A and other sources.
The Watershed Agricultural Council is an equal opportunity employer and provider.