INSTAAR's Niwot Ridge Long-term Ecological Research (NWT LTER) program, Center for Water, Earth Science, and Technology (CWEST), and Boulder Creek Critical Zone Observatory (BcCZO) teams had the pleasure of hosting field trips for 165 5th graders from Crestview and Thornton elementary schools at the Museum of Boulder. The classes took an interactive tour of our Boulder Creek watershed bilingual exhibit: “Our Living Landscape: Exploring Boulder’s Watershed”, funded by CU’s Office of Outreach and Engagement. We had 8 amazing volunteers who led demonstration activities of our research with the visiting students. Our team included Alex Rose (lead organizer), Tim Seastedt, Anna Wright, Kate Hale, Laurel Brigham, Kelly Carscadden, Julie Byle, and Carli Brucker.
One of our main goals in having the exhibit is to increase awareness about our local environment and inspire the community to take action in positive ways that have a direct impact on the long-term health, vitality, and sustainability of our natural home. As a follow up, the 5th grade students are drawing a picture of their own interpretation of the watershed and are sharing a goal or commitment to protect, preserve, and restore our Boulder Creek watershed. Many thanks to all the great folks that contributed to our special exhibit of the research we have studied at INSTAAR for the past several decades with our community!