Education

Why Educating Young People About Water Quality and the Environment Is Crucial for a Bright Future

August 28, 2024 by Santa Barbara Channelkeeper

In an era marked by rapid environmental changes and growing concerns about sustainability, it is increasingly clear that educating young people about the importance of clean water, healthy habitats, and the environment is not just beneficial—it’s essential. As we face challenges like climate change, water scarcity, and ecological degradation, equipping the next generation with knowledge and tools to tackle these issues is more crucial than ever.

Channelkeeper believes that investing in environmental education for young people is a vital step towards ensuring a sustainable and thriving future. By fostering an understanding of water quality and environmental systems, we empower the next generation to become responsible stewards, innovative thinkers, and passionate advocates.

On Seafari Cruises, our team hosts students aboard Channelkeeper’s boat to experience an on-the-water adventure. Students collect plankton samples, observe wildlife like dolphins, sea lions, and harbor seals, and learn about marine conservation efforts along our coast. For our Field Studies program in the Ventura River, high school students don waders to take nutrient and bacteria samples and assess water quality. Channelkeeper’s Shore to Sea program combines classroom watershed education with an outdoor experience, such as a kayaking adventure in the Santa Barbara Harbor, that introduces students to the land-sea connection.

Here’s why investing in this education can pave the way for a brighter, more sustainable future.

1. Understanding the Interconnectedness of Systems

Water quality and environmental health are deeply intertwined with numerous other systems—public health, agriculture, and economic stability, to name a few. Teaching young people about these connections helps them understand how their actions affect the world around them.

Furthermore, time spent on the water connects young people intimately with the natural world. It helps orient them within their watershed and allows them to interact with it. Students can see and touch some of the organisms that rely on clean water and trace the path that water takes through their community to the ocean. This brings awareness to the impacts of their everyday actions on water quality. This holistic understanding fosters a sense of responsibility and empowers young people to make informed decisions that benefit the environment.

2. Fostering a Sense of Responsibility

Educating young people about the environment can encourage a sense of stewardship. Channelkeeper provides meaningful experiences on the water with the understanding that today’s youth are the decision-makers of tomorrow and that their environmental ethics are critical to our planet’s future.

When students learn about the impact of pollution, overuse of resources, and habitat destruction, they’re more likely to feel responsible for their actions and the choices they make. This can translate into more sustainable habits, such as conserving water, recycling, and supporting eco-friendly products. By introducing young people to water science and instilling these values early on, we hope to inspire interest in protecting the environment and nurture a generation that will prioritize the planet’s health.

3. Inspiring Innovation and Solutions

A solid foundation in environmental science and water quality can ignite a passion for problem-solving and innovation. Many of today’s environmental challenges require creative solutions and technological advancements. When young people are exposed to the complexities of these issues, they’re inspired to think critically and develop new approaches. Whether through engineering new water purification technologies or creating sustainable farming practices, early education can spark ideas that lead to groundbreaking solutions.

4. Supporting Health and Well-being

Water quality directly impacts human health. Contaminated water sources can lead to diseases and long-term health issues. By educating young people about the importance of clean water and how to protect it, we’re not only teaching them to safeguard natural resources but also to take care of their own health and that of their communities. Understanding the link between environmental quality and personal well-being can lead to healthier lifestyles and communities.

5. Building Advocacy and Leadership Skills

Education about environmental issues empowers young people to become advocates for change. When students are well-informed about the challenges and potential solutions related to water quality and environmental conservation, they are more likely to engage in activism, policy-making, and community projects. This advocacy is crucial for driving societal changes and influencing policies that protect natural resources and promote sustainability.

6. Promoting a Sustainable Future

The knowledge and skills that students gain today will not only address the environmental challenges of tomorrow but also inspire a collective commitment to protecting our planet for the long haul. Channelkeeper is proud to advance environmental education that builds a brighter, greener future for everyone.

Because the decisions and actions taken by today’s youth will shape the world they inherit, we believe that our environmental education programs are supporting a sustainable future. By providing young people with knowledge about water quality and environmental issues, we are equipping them to make choices that support long-term ecological balance, advance environmental protection, and contribute to a healthier planet for future generations.

Planting the Seeds of Environmental Stewardship Through Art

April 23, 2024 by Santa Barbara Channelkeeper

An interview with this year’s Student Art Show Juror, Kelly Clause

Every spring for the past twenty-one years, Channelkeeper’s Student Art Show has celebrated the connection between young people and the ocean. High school students from Carpinteria to Goleta are invited to create their interpretations of what the Santa Barbara Channel means to them. The artwork they produce is expressive, personal, and powerful.

Inspiring the next generation of environmental leaders is one of the show’s fundamental goals. This year, we’re thrilled to welcome artist Kelly Clause, who participated in Channelkeeper’s Student Art Show in 2005, as a high school student, as the show’s juror.

Kelly’s artwork is influenced by the ocean and its inhabitants, as well as the unique beauty of the California coast. She believes that connecting young people to the ocean through experiences like the Student Art Show helps plant the seeds of environmental stewardship—a connection with nature that can be nourished over time and can inspire a life-long sense of environmental responsibility and care.

In the interview that follows, Kelly shares her profound, personal connection to the ocean as well as her experience as a young participant in Channelkeeper’s Student Art Show and the positive impact that it had on her as an artist.

Channelkeeper (SBCK): As an artist, what draws you to paint the ocean and its creatures?

Kelly Clause (KC): The ocean and its creatures are the object of my never-ending curiosity, awe, and respect. The ocean is full of life, full of mystery, and will humble even the most confident of human beings. It feels so natural for me to paint the ocean because I was raised near it, in it, and with this constant hunger to understand it more. I love to surf, dive, paddle, and generally just spend time near the water. I feel really lucky to have been raised here in Santa Barbara and want to do my best to protect the unique beauty of our coast! I believe art has the potential to impact people to pause, appreciate, grow curious, and ultimately become better stewards of our environment.

SBCK: What was your first experience with Channelkeeper’s Student Art Show?

KC: I believe it was my sophomore or junior year of high school at Dos Pueblos High School, and my art teacher asked if she could enter me into a local art show that was all about the ocean. Naturally, I said yes, painted a big wave in acrylic, turned it in, and was completely shocked when they announced I had won an award for it. I really had no idea what Channelkeeper was at the time, but I vividly remember the kindness and enthusiasm in that room.

SBCK: What was the Student Art Show experience like as a student?

KC: It was fun! It was my first ever experience being a part of an art show, and Channelkeeper did such a great job at making us students feel important and honored for showing our work. It was a positive experience for me, and increased my confidence and helped me take chances and enter other art shows down the road.

SBCK: Why do you think it’s important to highlight the artwork of young people?

KC: Young people not only have artistic talent that should be celebrated and seen, but by investing in youth, we are investing in our future community and environment. Art can be a powerful voice to spark curiosity, prompt questions, increase emotional literacy, and promote beautiful causes. Encouraging young people to be vulnerable in expressing themselves through art as a means of communication is a worthy investment

SBCK: As you know, the theme of the show each year is “What the Channel Means to Me.” If you were going to create one piece of art that evoked what the Channel means to you, what would you create?

KC: It’s difficult to sum up what the Channel means to me in one piece of art, but I guess that’s the beauty of art. You don’t have to say it all! At this point in time, I would probably paint Giant kelp, because of its beauty and the unique ecosystem it creates in our Channel.

SBCK: Do you have a favorite ocean creature to represent in your artwork? Why?

KC: Humpbacks! To me, whales are completely majestic creatures. Their size alone is absolutely awe-inspiring and will make you feel humbled in a second if you are fortunate enough to get close to one. Their devotion to escorting their young thousands of miles home to safety, their acrobatic skills and playful nature, their singing, gentle but fierce demeanor…whales are incredible to me. My first watercolor was a whale, and it inspired the entire direction of my artistic journey.

The community is invited to join us in celebrating the artists at a reception on Thursday, May 2^nd from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm that will take place at the Jodi House Gallery at 625 Chapala Street in Santa Barbara.  Click here for more information.

The show is sponsored by Trillium Enterprise, Inc. and the City of Goleta Grant Program. 

Connecting Kids with Nature to Spark Wonder and Inspire Environmental Sensitivity

March 24, 2022 by Santa Barbara Channelkeeper

If you’ve ever followed a hermit crab’s footprints across a tidepool, built a fort in the wilderness, or listened closely to a bird’s song, you understand the sense of wonder and quiet joy that activities in the wild can inspire. For kids, the natural world can be a place of curiosity, creative play, and discovery.

A growing number of studies suggest that connection with nature has significant physical, psychological, and academic benefits for kids. Time in the wild can also inspire greater sensitivity to the surrounding world, a deeper understanding of environmental issues, and real-life opportunities to practice problem-solving.

Channelkeeper’s education programs aim to nurture environmental awareness and stewardship in young people with the understanding that today’s youth are the decision-makers of tomorrow. Their environmental ethics are critical to our planet’s future. By fostering a connection between young people and the natural world, we hope to inspire the next generation of clean water leaders.

To extend our discovery-driven curriculum beyond field trips and classroom visits, we’ve gathered a few fun, hands-on educational activities for young explorers and families to experience together. Learn about how water moves through a watershed and the ways in which it can become contaminated. Discover the fluid dynamics of the water cycle. In addition, we’ve included some special places to explore with activities such as rock hopping in Mission Creek at Rocky Nook Park, tidepooling at Coal Oil Point, bird watching at the Goleta Slough, and reading inspiring stories in the shade of a tree.

We hope that you share these activities with a special child in your life and enjoy a moment in nature together.

Activities:

Make a Watershed

Have you ever wondered where water goes when it rains? In this simple activity you can make a model watershed and watch how the water flows over the land.

Crumple up a piece of plain office paper and then smooth it back out most of the way- it should remain a bit crumpled, showing small ridges (high points) and valleys (low points).
Imagine that this paper is a section of land. Find the ridgelines (the tops of the fold-lines).
Use a washable blue marker (not permanent) to color along the ridgelines on your land. The blue color from the marker will help you follow the path of the precipitation.
Use a spray bottle of water to create a rainstorm over your land. The goal is to create gentle sprays of mist.
Spray the bottle once, and observe the precipitation. Has the water begun to move in your watershed? If not, then lightly mist again, until the precipitation starts traveling on your watershed.
As your rainfall accumulates, observe the pathways where the excess rainfall travels.

Explore your watershed. With your finger, trace your stream (the path of the blue marker) all the way back up to where it starts at the top of the ridge. When you reach the top, this is the edge of the watershed for your stream and lake. Trace the entire edge of the watershed with your finger by following the ridgeline. Everything inside, the downward-sloping area you have just outlined is the watershed for your stream or lake.

Find the Solution to Pollution

Gather up 4-5 clean glass jars, masking tape, paper coffee filters, and a magnifying glass.
Collect water from different sources including tap water, a creek or lake, or even the ocean making sure to label each jar with the water source.
Fit the coffee filters just inside the mouths of additional large, wide-mouthed jars.
Take one of the water samples, and slowly pour the water through the filter into the other jar. Repeat for each water sample, pouring it into a new jar with a fresh coffee filter.
Open each filter and examine it through the magnifying glass.
Analyze the filters. Which filter is the most discolored? Which filter caught the most particles? Did any of the samples leave a colored residue on the filter?

Discuss how the water in creeks, rivers, and the ocean can become polluted. Where do pollutants come from?
A major cause of water pollution in Santa Barbara and Ventura Counties is nonpoint source pollution, or contamination that comes from more than one source. As water runoff moves over land, it picks up and carries natural and human-made pollutants into our creeks and rivers, which eventually drain into the ocean. What steps can we take to reduce water pollution in our area?

Create a Water Cycle Model

Use a permanent marker to draw the water cycle on a Ziplock bag (if possible, reuse a plastic bag for this activity). You can create your own interpretation of water collection, evaporation, condensation, and precipitation or follow this easy video.
Pour about ⅓ cup of water into the bag. You can add one or two drops of blue food coloring to the water if you choose, but it’s not essential.
Find a sunny window and tape the bag to the glass.
Check in on the water cycle bag at different times throughout the next few days. Do you see water droplets form along the bag from the condensation? Eventually, you may see streaks along the side of the bag as the droplets grow and drop down the side, representing precipitation. From there, the water will recollect and pool at the bottom, mimicking the water cycle we experience on Earth.
Rinse out the plastic bag and reuse it for other household needs!

Outdoor Adventures:

Visit Mission Creek in Rocky Nook Park
Rocky Nook Park is not only free to visit, its creek area is a special place to connect with nature. Practice your rock hopping skills and get to know Mission Creek’s pools while looking for tadpoles. How many different kinds of water bugs can you find? Pick up 5 pieces of trash to leave the park a little cleaner than you found it.

Low Tide Beach Walk
Check the tides and head to the beach to explore during low tide! How many creatures can you count? Can you find the wrack line, the horizontal line on the beach where kelp, driftwood, and insects collect? This accumulation area plays an important role in beach ecology. How many hermit crabs can you find in a tidepool? Can you find a sea star? Their populations are just starting to recover following a wasting disease. Be sure to leave them on the rock where you observed them! Check for low tides at Tide Predictions – NOAA Tides & Currents

Some of our favorite tidepools to explore include Tarpits Beach in Carpinteria, Leadbetter Beach in Santa Barbara, and in the Campus Point Marine Protected Area at Coal Oil Point in Isla Vista.

Watch the Birds
We’re so lucky! The Santa Barbara area has so many great opportunities to observe birds, including many species that pass through seasonally. Have you ever spotted a red tail hawk? How about a snowy egret? We challenge you to find your favorite bird! What sort of habitat does it prefer? What does it like to eat? What sounds does it make?

Visit the Goleta Slough, Lake Los Carneros, and Santa Barbara Bird Refuge for some excellent birding and check out the free ebird app for help with bird identification and cool facts!

Read books outside!

Have you ever read a book with your feet in a creek? How about under a tree? Borrow a few books from your local library or find them online and head outdoors! Some of our favorites include:

Once Upon a Watershed by Dianne Bennett
The Big Book of the Blue by Yuval Zommer
Deep in the Ocean by Lucie Brunelliere
All the Way to the Ocean by Joel Harper
The Little Creek that Could by Marc Angelo
The Lorax by Dr. Seuss
The Watcher: Jane Goodall’s Life with the Chimps by Jeanette Winter