Arizona Rivers Martha P.L. Whitaker Presentation to Science Alliance in Phoenix August 31, 2007

1. Arizona RiversMartha P.L. WhitakerPresentation to Science Alliance in PhoenixAugust 31, 2007 Supported by a grant from Science Foundation Arizona

2. Science Foundation AZ - goals • Science Technology Engineering Math “STEM” workforce development • K-12 Innovative Experience Program • Motivate students and carry them beyond traditional classrooms • Hands-on engagement with actual professionals • Goal-directed context that encourages design, implementation and use of knowledge in science & math.

3. Arizona Rivers - goals 1. Facilitate local collaborations between students, volunteer monitoring groups, state and local agencies for the purpose of re-energizing the spirit of scientific discovery & inquiry to: • Study riparian or other aquatic ecosystems and habitats • Monitor riparian ecology and water quality • Develop student-based research projects • Collect baseline data on stream restoration 2. Develop a lasting collaborative network of teachers and citizens interested in Arizona water issues. 3. Contribute to GLOBE, Arizona Audubon and Phenology long-term data bases

4. How do we do this? • Workshops • Summer workshops in Tucson, Phoenix & Flagstaff • Weekend workshops during the academic year • Yuma in January? • Training stipends for teachers $100/day • Travel stipends available • Small Grants up to $250 (equipment? Bus rental? etc?) • Implementation Grants • www.azrivers.org • Equipment check-out via Project WET & HWHP

5. What are the workshops about? • Fast–paced! Goal: familiarity – not a Ph.D. • Mostly topical introductions and field practice • Morning field trips to practice skills at local river e.g. Rio Salado • Many agency/organization reps attend as guest speakers to help develop long-term collaborations • Look for one thing to start with – build a richer more comprehensive study plan with time. • Summer workshops – more variety; • Weekend workshops during the year – only one or two topics

6. How else do we do this? • Established monitoring networks offer: • Better coordination • River restoration monitoring • Ready-made site for research and possible project needs • Place-based, student-centered research

7. Classroom benefits • Raised awareness – sensitivity to ecosystems • Fostering of environmental stewardship • Application of intuitive interdisciplinary skills • Higher-order science skills (Scientific Method) • Learn, describe, apply, collect, analyze, design, adjust, hypothesize, report, assess • Meet NSF goals • Scientific literacy, Discovery, Learning, Workforce

8. Practical Aspects – how do I participate? • Define an area of interest • Ask a question (we can help) • Conduct background research on issues – context! • Develop needed skills (AZrivers training!) • Acquire/borrow equipment (Small grants ) • Recruit a mentor (we can help) • Start making measurements • Share your data (not necessarily the order they need to be done in)

9. Who can participate? Students • School-based • Home-schooled • K-16 => Community college Clubs • After school • Scouts, 4-H, FFA Organizations • Citizen scientists • Watershed monitoring groups

10. Current Participants • Community colleges • Public, charter, private schools • Science centers • Volunteer monitors, Citizen scientists • Tribal communities • Cooperative extension • State agencies

11. Mentors Possible Roles • Help define critical research questions • Provide classroom support • Context & background • Scientific & career advice • Skills development • Provide field support • Access & transport • Equipment • Training • One-on-one mentoring

12. Federal Agencies US Geologic Survey US Army Corp of Eng. Bureau of Land Mgmt. State & Co. Agencies AZ Game & Fish AZ State Parks Pima Parks & Rec. Pima/Maricopa Flood Watershed Monitors Rio Salado, Santa Cruz, Gila, Verde, San Pedro Others AZ Riparian Council AZ Audubon AZ Hydrologic Society AZ Science Center Biosphere 2 Master WS Stewards Nature Conservancy Central AZ Project Salt River Project Potential Collaborators

13. Possible Projects Animals • Birds • Mammals & Bats • Reptiles • Amphibians - crayfish • Insects - land & aquatic Study: • census / inventory • seasonal changes • tracks & scat • habits

14. Possible Projects Plants • Trees • Shrubs • Grasses • Flowers Study: • transect / quadrant counts • landcover change • response to climate • create dichotomous key

15. Possible Projects Water Quality • Temp • pH; conductivity • Transparency • Alkalinity • Dissolved oxygen • Nitrates Macroinvertebrates Monitor: • stream water quality • aquatic health assessment

16. Possible Projects • Geomorphology • Channel geometry • Sediment transport • Flow / No flow • Ephemeral channels • Flood/erosion impacts • Stream Restoration • Channel stabilization • Habitat restoration • Long-term monitoring

17. Cities Rio Salado, Tempe Town Lk Gilbert, Tres Rios, & Sweetwater Wetlands Agua Caliente Sabino Canyon San Pedro Middle / Grey Hawk Aravipa Santa Cruz Rio Rico, Tubac, Marana Verde Prescott Rivers Beaver, Oak, Sycamore creek Dead Horse S.P. Gila Safford, San Carlos, Yuma Agua Fria Horsethief Basin Target or Priority sites

18. Contacts Phoenix • Phil Pepephil.pepe@pcmail.maricopa.edu • Elena Ortiz-Barneyelena.ortiz-barney@pcmail.maricopa.edu Tucson • Martha P.L.Whitakermplw@hwr.arizona.edu • Jim Washburnejwash@hwr.arizona.edu Flagstaff • Charlie Schlingercharles.schlinger@nau.edu AZ Rivers is supported by a grant from Science Foundation Arizona

19. Evaluation • How we can help better • Number & type of projects • Demographics of participants • Level of engagement • Level of knowledge and skill • Progress toward professional development • Accessibility of • Mentors • Equipment • Study sites • Level of satisfaction