Watershed Health Education Program, Clackamas County, WES

Watershed Health Improvement Program (WHEP), Water Environment Services, Clackamas County Service District #1, 2013-2015

From 2013 to 2015 Jamie Stamberger served as Education Consultant for Clackamas County Service District #1 Water Environment Services to implement the Watershed Health Improvement Program (WHEP). Through partnership development, detailed project management, and scientific evaluation, Stamberger Outreach Consulting (SOC) exceeded anticipated WHEP goals for participation and hands-on projects on schedule and within budget in both fiscal years.

Because we believe it is vital to authentically engage communities served, SOC focused strongly on meaningful gathering and inclusion of student input in stormwater projects completed through WHEP.  Students voted for their favorite LID projects, and this information was used in the project selection process by the county. Students also developed quotes and drawings that were included in project educational signage, and developed skills by mentoring younger students to implement projects.  SOC developed an additional project idea going forward to engage students in developing a social media project to share their images and stories of watershed health in their community.

Student finds chorus frog in school rain garden

Older students help younger students plant a native plant garden at their school

High school students help elementary students plant a native plant garden at their school.

Through scientific evaluation, SOC provided effectiveness measures showing 20%+ increases in student understanding of watershed concepts and behaviors impacting watershed health as a result of the program. Through WHEP, SOC provided in-classroom watershed education and hands-on community watershed improvement activities to more than 2,000 youth at North Clackamas Schools. SOC implemented 11 hands-on watershed improvement projects through WHEP including riparian restoration projects and stormwater LID retrofit projects at NCSD schools capturing and filtering 2.4 million gallons of stormwater runoff.

To evaluate program impact, SOC provided thorough reports including change in student knowledge, number of students, teachers and schools engaged, runoff reduced, plants installed, and detailed documentation of project plans, permissions and maintenance schedules. Included in SOC WHEP work were efforts to develop on-site project stewardship teams and to design and install educational signage. Reports included teacher and school staff testimonials, student artwork, and before and after photos.

Students maintain their school rain garden

High school students teach elementary students about water quality

High school students help elementary students plant a rain garden at their school