Ensuring a next generation of river stewards
Are student field trips a thing of the past? With skyrocketing bus costs and the expectation that educators pack as much standards-related content into the school day as possible, many schools are viewing field trips as unattainable. However, nothing replaces the social and educational perspectives gained through firsthand experiences.
The Poudre Heritage Alliance’s Learning in Our Watershed program provides grant funds to K-12 school teachers in Larimer and Weld County to hire buses and pay entry fees to bring their students on field trips to the Cache la Poudre River National Heritage Area (CALA).
Our mission is simple – to help youth understand and value the Poudre River and their water heritage, ensuring a next generation of river stewards.
With our new “Study Outdoors, Learn Outdoors” (SOLO) field trip program, the Poudre Heritage Alliance is creating an opportunity for students to explore the Cache la Poudre River Heritage Area safely during the COVID-19 pandemic. We are transitioning our Learning in Our Watershed program to offer an outdoor self-guided learning experience. The “normal” may have changed, but our commitment to helping youth understand and value the Poudre River has not!
This Fall 2020, teachers, scout leaders, and at home educators can assign their students a place-based education route along the Poudre River Trail. We currently have walking and biking routes offered in Fort Collins and Greeley! The Fort Collins route is designed for 7th and 8th-grade students, while the Greeley route is suitable for 4th and 5th-grade students. Developed by two local educators, the routes align with Colorado Academic Standards, relate to the surrounding environment, and incorporate interpretive signs created by the Poudre Heritage Alliance.
We believe that the Cache la Poudre River is an engaging and inspirational learning environment. Together, we can continue to build our next generation of river stewards!
Take Me to SOLO Field Trips Download Flyer