Orientation

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Kitt Farrell Poe

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Elaine Hassinger

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Dan Neary

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Deb Young

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Malchus Baker

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Russ Radden
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Riparian biodiversity
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Photos by Jeff Schalau

The University of Arizona College of Agriculture Cooperative Extension and the U.S. Forest Service Rocky Mountain Research Station held an educational field day for students. Thirty-nine students from Heritage Middle School (Prescott), nine students from Chino High School, six school staff members, a volunteer from the Verde Watershed Association, and and six instructors attended. The Beaver Creek Watershed Field Day is a student-centered, hands on, real-life opportunity to develop an awareness of water resources and the importance of Arizona watersheds. This field experience occurred on September 30th, at the Beaver Creek picnic area, Coconino National Forest, from 9 am to 2 pm. Sessions focused on the dynamics of watersheds, water resources and riparian ecosystems. Lunch was provided to participants. Transportation to and from the Beaver Creek activity site was arranged by the participating school(s).

Sessions included:

1) Water Resources - Kitt Farrell Poe, Extension Water Quality Specialist, Yuma Ag Center and Elaine Hassinger, Assistant in Extension, Maricopa Ag Center

Students learned how to monitor stream water quality by measuring chemical and physical parameters (biological parameters were monitored at a different session). The students were divided into two groups and each group performed either the chemical or the physical tests. The chemical analyses included pH, nitrogen, dissolved oxygen, and phosphorus. This group also performed the turbidity analysis. The physical analyses included stream width, depth, and flow rate, and water and air temperatures. The group conducting the physical analyses also collected data on the stream condition: date; time of day; location; group names; water appearance and odor; streambed coating; percent of bank covered by plants, rocks, and logs; land use in the watershed at site; and estimated percent and type of litter in and around the stream.

2) Groundwater Station - Jeff Schalau, Yavapai County Cooperative Extension Agent, Agriculture & Natural Resources and Dan Neary, Watershed Scientist, Rocky Mountain Research Station, USFS

After participating in a physical activity that demonstrated soil permeability, students were given an orientation about the landforms found in the Beaver Creek Watershed. The activity and orientation taught students about infiltration, percolation, surface runoff, and subsurface flows as they relate to soils, alluvial deposits, and geologic formations. Ground water movement was demonstrated using the Ground Water Flow Model. In the model, students observed the water table, confined and unconfined aquifers, and an artesian well. Water was pumped from a shallow well to demonstrate how pumpage can lower the depth of the water table. Food coloring was injected into the model and students observed as the dye moved within the aquifer and was pumped up through the shallow well. During group discussions, students were asked questions and given more information about issues of concern related to ground water quality and quantity.

3) Watershed vegetation - Deborah Young, Associate Director, Arizona Cooperative Extension

Measuring vegetation is one way to predict and evaluate the impacts of upland activities on watersheds. Visual observations were made of the vegetation above Beaver Creek, with discussions about the differences between upland and riparian vegetation. The session stressed the use of the scientific method to measure these differences. Students were taught the concept of cover, frequency and composition of the vegetation, using 40 cm X 40 cm frames to measure these components. Native plant species were identified; students used contact paper and index cards to preserve plant specimens.

4) Watersheds, slopes, and soils - Malchus Baker, Watershed Scientist, Rocky Mountain Research Station, USFS

The instructor answered the question: what is a watershed? He explained the purpose of the Beaver Creek Experimental Watershed: to determine the potential for increasing water yield by manipulating ponderosa pine and pinyon-juniper vegetation types and to determine effects of treatments on the other watershed resources. They discussed and demonstrated why watershed condition is important. Healthy watersheds have the capacity to absorb storm energies, provide regulation of storm flows through the soil mantle, and bring stability to the entire basin. In contrast, a watershed that has been abused often develops a more extensive channel system throughout its basin, including an ephemeral gully network. Riparian areas, found in the transition between water and land, are important wildlife habitats because they provide the three things every organism needs -- food, shelter, and water.

5) Riparian wildlife & stream invertebrates - Russ Radden, Program Coordinator, Yavapai County Cooperative Extension

"Why are riparian ecosystems ideal environments for studying enhance biodiversity?", was the major focus question of this session. Students were invited and encouraged to recognize, identify and inventory different animal life forms associated with Beaver Creek. The instructor served as a facilitator of student-centered activities. Animal presence was determined by direct observation, behavioral signs, tracks and scat. Random search-inventories were conducted by students in habitat/niche areas adjacent to and in Beaver Creek. Temporary collections of aquatic specimens facilitated student examination, use of worksheets and interactive discussions. The significance of each organism was associated with their role in food chains/webs. Information from concurrent sessions was integrated into the overview of stream dynamics and how natural succession, flooding, grazing and human activities may alter the physical characteristics of a stream, specific habitats and the distribution of animal populations in riparian areas. Profiling aquatic populations in the stream enhanced student understanding of the significance of dissolved oxygen, pH, chemical properties and other abiotic qualities in determining what life can be expected and supported. Students were able to recognize the importance of riparian areas, the biodiversity present and the difficulty in preserving, protecting and managing these unique ecological units.