WAC is offering FREE Virtual Watershed Forestry Fieldtrips to the New York City Watershed so you and your students can experience the forests that filter and protect NYC’s drinking water LIVE in your classrooms.

During a Virtual Watershed Forestry Fieldtrip, WAC educators join your class live from the reservoirs, streams and forests of the NYC Watershed and lead your students in hands-on science activities related to watersheds, forest ecosystem services, and stream ecology.

Timing: Timing is flexible – our virtual fieldtrips can run anywhere from 40 minutes to 1.5 hours, depending on your schedule and preference.

Technology: Typically, educators send us a Zoom or Google Meet link to join their class.  Alternatively, we can host the fieldtrip through our own Zoom account.

Content: All fieldtrips include visiting a NYC drinking water reservoir to learn about where, why and how the NYC water supply system was built.  Additional science content is presented depending on which trip option you choose. Your 3 options include:

1. NYC Watersheds & Reservoirs – Live from a NYC drinking water reservoir & watershed forest. Learn about watersheds, the NYC water supply system and the role trees play in filtering and protecting water quality for NYC.
– Check out our NYC Watershed & Reservoirs Google Earth Tour that introduces themes and locations related to this trip

 

 

 

 

2. Trees to Tap: Planting Trees for Clean Water – Live from a NYC drinking water reservoir & streamside tree planting site. Learn about watersheds, the NYC water supply system and practice measuring trees and calculating forest ecosystem services related to clean water, clean air and climate change.
– Check out our Trees to Tap Google Earth Tour that introduces themes and locations related to this trip

 

 

 

3. Trout and Trees in the NYC Watershed – Live from a NYC drinking water reservoir & forested stream. Learn about watersheds, the NYC water supply system and conduct a stream study that looks at chemical and biological water quality indicators and explores how trees keep streams healthy and clean for people and trout.
– Check out our Trout and Trees Google Earth Tour that introduces themes and locations related to this trip

 

 

 

Supporting Teaching Materials: We recommend pre- and post-trip materials below. You can find more excellent materials on our Teacher Resources Webpage. Also, we are always happy to help you develop a customized teaching plan to meet your needs. Contact us for assistance.

 

 

 

 

Recommended pre-trip materials:

1. Our Pre-trip Lesson Google Slideshow leads students through a series of inquiries, 2 short videos and 1 short reading. Students will reflect on their own water usage, hypothesize where their tap water comes from, and get an overview of the NYC Watershed, water supply system and the role forests play in filtering and protecting water quality.

2. The NYC-DEP Education Department has created an awesome Virtual Tour of the NYC Watershed and water supply system with embedded videos, images and text that take your students on a journey from raindrops in the Catskill Mountains to their city taps. Consider assigning this individually or jig sawing the content (especially the video content) in groups before your fieldtrip.

Recommended post-trip materials:

1. We strongly encourage you to use our Post-Trip Reflection Padlet, which asks students to share a “thank you” with their trip hosts and to reflect on: Their favorite part of the trip, 3 new things learned, 2 connections between the trip and their coursework, and 1 question they have. WAC educators will respond directly to their questions!
– A Template Reflection Padlet can be viewed here. After you book your fieldtrip, you will be sent a unique link to your own class Padlet.

2. In our The Forest is Hiring: Explore Watershed Forest Careers Padlet students are introduced to a diverse array of scientists working in watershed forestry related fields. Students are asked to *star* one or more careers that interest them, describe why they’re interested, and ask the scientist a question about their field or career path.
– A Template The Forest is Hiring Padlet can be viewed here. After you book your fieldtrip, you will be sent a unique link to your own class Padlet.

Book your trip: Complete this online form to indicate your scheduling and activity preferences. Email [email protected] with any questions. A minimum of 2-weeks advanced notice is preferred.