AQUARIUM ENCOURAGES WATSONVILLE TEENS TO LEARN ABOUT LOCAL ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES | Environment

Students in Watsonville have teamed up with the Monterey Bay Aquarium to create the Watsonville Area Teens Conserving Habitats (WATCH) program. The year long program begins in the summer and extends throughout the school year. For four weeks this summer, 50 students will be introduced to the diverse habitats in their own neighborhoods.

Watsonville has some of the last large wetland habitats in northern California. Yet the students who pass through this habitat each day on the way to school have little idea of its importance or its fragility. From June 13 – 24 (Watsonville High) and July 18-29 (Pajaro Valley High) students participating in the WATCH program will hike, boogie board and explore the Pajaro River and Watsonville coastline alongside aquarium staff, teachers and other local ecologists. The students use scientific methods to evaluate the health of three habitats – riparian (river’s edge), wetlands and coastal dunes.

“We have been so impressed by how much of an impact these high school students have had on their community and surrounding environment. They have reached out to younger students and shared their enthusiasm for the environment, for learning and for one another. We hope the scholarships will provide some support and encouragement as they move on to college and new leadership opportunities” said Rita Bell, director of the aquarium’s education programs.

For more information go to http://www.montereybayaquarium.org/lc/kids_place/kidseq_soc.aspx