Poster Details
THE WATERSHED LEARNING NETWORK: ENGAGING COMMUNITIES IN FRESHWATER SCIENCE THROUGH COMMUNITY-UNIVERSITY PARTNERSHIPS AND SERVICE LEARNING
Urban watershed management is critical to support the structure and function of freshwater systems and well-being of human populations throughout the globe. The aging and obsolete water infrastructure of urban watersheds are prone to flooding, potentially exposing both the watershed ecosystems and the people living in affected neighborhoods to pollution and pathogens. To effectively engage in efforts to manage urban watersheds, monitor water quality, and mitigate the effects of flooding and/or failing water infrastructure, community members need new educational resources to bolster their understanding of watershed ecology and the environmental impacts of urbanization. Here, we will describe the Watershed Learning Network (WLN), a project developed as a collaboration between Environmental Community Action (ECO-Action), American Rivers, and a service-learning class in urban ecology at the University of Georgia. The purpose of the WLN was to take the lessons and tools developed through the Atlanta Watershed Learning Network and develop an online resource for communities living in urban watersheds throughout the world. We are excited to continue enhancing the WLN and will also share ways in which SFS participants can contribute to the network through original research, writing, and class assignments.
Rebecca Parsons (Co-Presenter/Co-Author), University of Georgia, beccap97@gmail.com;
Yomi Noibi (Co-Presenter/Co-Author), Environmental Community Action, asnoibi@gmail.com;
Jenny Hoffner (Co-Presenter/Co-Author), American Rivers, jhoffner@americanrivers.org;
Krista Capps (Co-Presenter/Co-Author), University of Georgia, kcapps@uga.edu;
Research in Krista Capps's lab is dedicated to understanding how anthropogenic activities alter community structure and ecosystem processes (e.g., productivity, decomposition, and biogeochemical cycling) in freshwater ecosystems. Much of her research has focused on the impacts of consumers on basal food resources, community structure, and nutrient dynamics in streams and wetlands. To translate scientific knowledge to actionable outcomes, she actively works with community groups and local, state, and federal employees to develop programs that integrate stakeholder concerns into research planning.
Emily Monroe (Primary Presenter/Author), University of Georgia, maddiemonroe98@gmail.com;