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Air, Water and Aquatic Environments Science Program

Class in the Creek

The Boise River Experience The Boise River, a central feature of Boise’s landscape, provides an ideal opportunity to connect urban youth with their local environment. Our challenge is to remove the barriers between these kids and what was once a traditional childhood experience.  We are doing this by working with the Morrison Knudsen (MK) Nature Center in Boise, Idaho which is owned and operated by the Idaho Department of Fish and Game.  The MK Nature Center currently features an hour-long program called “Class in the Creek,” an adaptation of the Bonneville Power Administration’s (BPA) Kids in the Creek program.  This program incorporates a hands-on curriculum for kids centered on aquatic ecology and river stewardship principles. AWAE is helping to support this program and making efforts to expand it to reach more youth and provide a more extended experience.

Our objectives are to increase understanding and connection to watersheds and their ecosystems, give youth a sense of the importance of being stewards of the land and connecting with wild spaces, and create interest in outdoor science. Interested in a field trip or group tour?

get Outdoors

Forest Service Encourages Children To Get Outdoors

The Forest Service kicked off a national “Get Outdoors” campaign in February, to encourage children and their parents to take advantage of recreational opportunities on national forests to develop a healthier lifestyle and learn about conserving natural resources.

The campaign was announced at a press conference at the Outdoor Recreation Village, during Super Bowl XLII festivities in Glendale, Ariz.  The event was attended by USDA Natural Resources and Environment Under Secretary Mark Rey.  At the Outdoor Recreation Village, the Forest Service and the American Recreation Coalition announced the details of the campaign including a June 14 National “Get Outdoors Day” and funding for this year’s “More Kids in the Woods,” a program that engages children in recreation and experiential learning.  Take a look at the video and complete story.

Forest Service - Kids in the Woods