Water Monitoring and Fresh Water Activity November 2023

Richard Louv, a child advocacy expert, worries that children are disconnecting from the natural world, a condition he calls “nature-deficit disorder.” Research indicates that nature-deficit disorder contributes to a rise in obesity, depression, and attention disorders, as well as a lack of regard for the environment in general. I propose to take students to Fairfield Ponds and conduct water quality tests from the Wildcat Creek, identify and inventory aquatic macro invertebrates from the same area, and to follow this up with an opportunity to fish the pond, using simple cane-poles and bobber set up, and conduct a short nature walk around the south-western pond. The goal is to expose the students to outdoor activities, like fishing and hiking, that few get to experience living in town and then to form a connection between enjoying the outdoors and the idea of needing to protect the outdoors. This connection will come from the testing inventories and extension activities.