Austin Youth River Watch Program Overview
Austin Youth River Watch provides an after school and summer program for high school students that functions empower youth through a nature-based, experiential, and service-oriented activities in environmental science. As a result of our programs, youth are better prepared to create positive outcomes for themselves and the environment, ensuring a better future for all.
After School Program
For the after school program, River Watchers meet one day a week with their River Watch Coordinator and the other River Watchers from their school. They go out to a local creek or park to practice water-quality testing, perform environmental restoration projects with community partners and participate in several outdoor experiences, often for the first time. These types of activities not only provide a valuable service to the community but also give our students a sense of responsibility for the environmental quality of their communities. River Watchers also have opportunities to participate in campouts, outdoor recreation adventures, and community outreach activities. Through our program, students become local environmental heroes, gain leadership and collaborative skills in interdisciplinary settings, and have transformative experiences that they will carry with them for the rest of their lives. When River Watchers feel like part of the group, they adopt the high expectations of the group for themselves and tend stay in school until graduation. The graduation rate of River Watch Seniors is nearly 100%.
Summer Program- Austin Environmental Heroes
The Austin Environmental Heroes program is a six-week summer program in STEM and environmental service-learning that promotes youth development, greater awareness of STEM and environmental careers, community engagement, and environmental stewardship. This program focuses on watershed and riparian health as students study climate change mitigation, restoration techniques, toxic algae sampling, and water quality testing along the Colorado River. Overall, students leave the program with a greater understanding of the relationship between human activity, natural systems, and our water supply.
Interested in becoming a River Watcher?
Email Program Director, Amelia DeVivo at amelia@riverwatchers.org
In the email, include your name, student’s school and grade level, and interest in becoming a River Watcher.
