Virtual Watershed Forestry Field Trips
The Watershed Agricultural Council’s Forestry Program offers 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. 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 of the three trip option you choose.
The options are:
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
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
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
We recommend the pre- and post-trip materials listed below and the Teacher Resources document when planning a virtual field trip. We are also available to help you develop a customized teaching plan to meet your needs. Contact us for assistance.
Recommended Pre-trip Materials:
- 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.
- 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.
How to apply
For more information email Tyler Van Fleet, East of Hudson Forestry Program Coordinator, at education@nycwatershed.org.
Virtual Field Trips
Documents and Resources
Virtual Field Trips |