Janine Kohn, MN Project WET Program Coordinator

Welcome to this issue of the Splash. It has been a long winter, and for that matter, a long year. Hard to believe that over a year ago, our worlds would change forever! There have been many lessons learned and positive changes which resulted in a wide array of resources Project WET created for educators and all water users!

In this issue, we will share new opportunities and resources pertaining to water, partner highlights and events that engage classrooms and families. As the season progresses, weather is upon us and the changes we observe in our communities include one of the most valuable resources---WATER!

Some of these occurrances may be spring showers and flowers. Other phenological changes may include bird migrations, frogs peeping, trees budding and insects buzzing. Whatever the changes might be, stop a moment and enjoy nature at its finest. Smell the sweet springtime rain, listen to the call of an oriole, look for the flittering wings of a hummingbird at the feeder, jump in a canoe and paddle your favorite river or just put on your galoshes and stomp in a puddle. Most of all, get outdoors, enjoy nature and appreciate the signs of spring because before you know it….this too will be a memory! Enjoy….

JOIN in the FUN!

Backyard naturalists across the Twin Cities will have a chance to share their nature observations with an international community of researchers, academics and conservationists starting April 30 in a week-long project called City Nature Challenge.

City Nature Challenge2021 invites members of the public to observe nature locally - whether it’s birds, critters, plants or tree species - then post their photos and observations to a website, iNaturalist. Their observations go into an international database used by scientists and land managers across the globe to study and preserve nature and wildlife.

The “bio-blitz’’ is designed to be a collaboration and friendly competition. Twin Cities participants will be competing with their peers in cities all across the world to see who can post the most local observations.

“Knowing what species are in our city and where they are helps us study and protect them. But the ONLY way to do that is by all of us – scientists, land managers, and the community – working together to find and document the diversity of nature in our metro area,’’ according to local organizers at the University of Minnesota.

Participants will take pictures of wild plants and animals from April 30 to May 3 in the 13-county Twin Cities metro area and then upload their photos and observations to the iNaturalist website.

From May 4-9 anyone can go to iNaturalist to help identify the species found. For information please visit: iNaturalist. The app can be down loaded from the App Store or Google Play. More information is available at: Citizen Science-UofM.

Let's show others that the Twin Cities is crazy about Nature! So have fun, be safe and share those amazing observations!

Project WET (Water Education for Today) is an international, interdisciplinary, water-science education program used by a variety of water users. It is estimated over 20,000 Minnesotans annually use the Project WET resources in a multitude of ways, complementing other watershed programming.

This hands-on program is administered through the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) by the MN Project WET Coordinator. This award-winning curriculum is an exceptional resource for all Minnesotans.

If you would like to be trained in the project, it is easy and virtual. Go at your own pace and have the guide sent right to your door! Great for continuing education credits! Water is a part of all of our lives and Project WET is a great way to make those connections with your audience!

Project WET 2.0-Online Training

Created by a coalition of environmental educators throughout Minnesota, this highly talented group came together to provide resources for classroom teachers during the pandemic. The goal----to get their students outdoors connecting with nature either at the school or at home.

Out of these efforts, a series of weekly Wednesday seminars came alive! Teachers are raving about the sessions and are getting great ideas for their students. Fellow educators at EE centers are loving the presentations and inspiration to try new things. Don't worry if you missed the learning sessions that began in January, they can be found on the                                                         Teach Outdoors Minnesota website. If you would like to share your expertise and present a session, check out the website for more information...we would love to have you!

Minnesota is a vibrant state that provides an amazing outdoor classroom for all. Your homework assignment is to explore the great outdoors this summer and take a friend or family member to share in the experience. As Aldo Leopold once said, "Once you learn to read the land, I have no fear of what you will do to it, or with it. And I know many pleasant things it will do to you....."

Teach Outdoors! Minnesota

Macro-invertebrate Alert!

Spring is an amazing time to explore below the water's surface! From Giant water bugs, to dragonflies, mayflies, scuds and leeches....these little critters can tell us about the health of our waters. Think of them as mini bio-indicators. If you find some of these amazing creatures in the water, it can tell us if the water is healthy, if we will find fish, or if it may be polluted!

Looking for macro-invertebrates is simple. The recipe: body of water, bucket, net, ice cube tray, perhaps a magnifying glass, plastic spoon and curiosity. Just remember, it is best to study them near their environment and never place critters found in one body of water into another body of water due to introducing invasive species. And also, always make sure you let a friend know where you are heading and when you plan to return as waters in spring may be swifter and a little higher-so safety first! Waders aren't necessary, but a good pair of waders or high boots are always a plus.  

Check out these awesome resources to help you on your macro-invert adventures....

Some fun video links: Macro 1 Macro 2 Macro 3 

Macro 4 Macro 5 Macro 6 Macro 7

MN DNR Minnaqua Aquatic Guide link: Education Guide-Minnaqua

PARTNER'S CORNER:

The St. Croix Watershed Environmental Education Partnership (SWEEP) is a partnership of environmental education professionals within the St. Croix River watershed. Our mission is to inspire leadership in environmental education and stewardship through networking, community engagement, and collaboration throughout the St. Croix River watershed.

While the members of SWEEP have been meeting and collaborating for many years, it was within just the last couple of years that the group decided to come up with an official name and a shared mission statement. SWEEP is made up of professionals from Minnesota and Wisconsin who work in just about every sector including state, county, and federal agencies, as well as nonprofit organizations, local businesses, schools, and more.

Over the past six months, SWEEP has managed to re-group virtually despite the challenges of the pandemic. In that time, we have developed our first-ever e-newsletter, which is filled with educational opportunities and outdoor activities available throughout the watershed. In addition to the newsletter, we hosted the first Earth Day Passport Event which took place throughout the month of April. This offered individuals and families a fun array of activities that they could engage in along the St. Croix Watershed. We even set up a passport program for those joining the event. The experience was very successful and we hope to host another for Spring 2022-so stay tuned and thank you to all that participated.

Our hope is that others will continue to explore the St. Croix River watershed and participate in the variety of experiences our partners are hosting in the coming months-so please subscribe to the quarterly SWEEP newsletter for helpful information about upcoming events offered this summer!    

Check out the Facebook link: SWEEP Facebook page

In addition, the St. Croix River Association offers in-person and online K-12 environmental education throughout the St. Croix River watershed. Learn more about their Rivers Are Alive field trips and online resources at:

Rivers are Alive or by emailing nicolebiagi@scramail.com.

Check out SCRA’s upcoming public events at: SCRA-Events

Hope to see you on the river this summer!

Do you have an interest in the weather? 

Are you looking for a way to volunteer safely from home? 

Or how about a great family activity that provides an easy way for kids to get involved with science? 

Volunteer as a rainfall monitor for the Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network (CoCoRaHS) coordinated through the state climatology office in the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. The network includes more than 20,000 volunteers nationwide who measure precipitation in their backyards using a standard 4-inch diameter rain gauge and submit their reports online.

Learn More: Volunteer Rain Monitoring