SAVANNAH — The new school year is right around the corner, and there is an opportunity for schools to get involved with educational outreach programs developed by Ogeechee Riverkeeper.

These student programs are designed to protect the river basin’s waterways and include training for students and teachers. Recent initiatives include a project at Savannah’s Heard Elementary School for teachers who want to be certified in chemical, bacterial, and macroinvertebrate monitoring and the training of educators in chemical monitoring at Tybee Island’s Burton 4-H Center.

"Whether it’s a new project or helping with an existing initiative, ORK is always happy to welcome extra helping hands any time of the year," Jesse Demonbreun-Chapman, watershed outreach coordinator, said. "Teachers, students or other individuals looking to get involved with a well-established program may be interested in learning more about Georgia Adopt-A-Stream, which is statewide volunteer water-quality monitoring effort focused on rivers, lakes and wetlands. The program is designed to provide citizens with the tools and training to evaluate and protect their local waterways as they collect baseline water-quality data. Individuals who take part are encouraged to monitor and/or improve sections of streams, wetlands, lakes or estuaries by following manuals and training provided by the Georgia Environmental Protection Division and more than 50 established Community/Watershed Adopt-A-Stream organizers."

Increasing public awareness of the state’s pollution problems is another ongoing focal issue for ORK. By educating students of all ages in the classroom, more and more people become aware of the importance of protecting our water.

"No matter what your students’ experience level or time limitations, we’ve got an educational outreach program that will meet your needs and allow you to help protect the waterways that mean so much to this region," Demonbreun-Chapman said. "We encourage schools to contact us and welcome students who are looking to learn more about conserving our precious natural resources".

For more information on Ogeechee Riverkeeper or to inquire about educational programs, call 1-866-942-6222 or email jesse@ogeecheeriverkeeper.org.