Youth Program - River Friends
Ottawa Riverkeeper’s new youth education program will engage youth in learning about the importance of the Ottawa River, their local waterbody. The initiative deepens students’ understanding about the linkages between the community and watershed; how their actions are impacting the river; and how they can help protect and enhance its health.
For Teachers
STAND UP FOR YOUR RIVER IN 9 EASY STEPS!
1. LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION!
What do you know about your river? Watch Ottawa Riverkeeper’s video and forward it to your friends. Learn how you can help our Riverkeeper Meredith Brown protect our river.
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2. DON’T SNOOZE: GET OUT AND USE
Go for a picnic or ride your bike along the banks. Encourage your family to go swimming, rafting, boating or fishing on your river or stream. The more you explore it, the more you will love it.
3. HAVE ANY WEB-FOOTED FRIENDS?
Get all the latest news about the River Friends through our website. Read new facts and learn about upcoming events. Even better—share your own ideas, stories and make observations about a shoreline near you!
4. JOIN THE PARTY
Help celebrate Canadian Rivers Day on the second Sunday in June. Enjoy paddling, food, and friends! Link to www.ottawariverkeeper.ca to find out where the party’s at.
5. LAP FROM THE TAP
Leave the bottled water on the shelf and drink from the tap or fountains. It is safe, clean, more energy efficient and it reduces waste. Learn more, check www.insidethebottle.org.
6. SPOT THE WATER HOG
Use only the water you need. Give the river a break—turn off the tap while brushing your teeth, ask your family and neighbours to put away the sprinklers, and see how fast you can get out of the shower.
7. CRASH SHORELINE TRASH
Help clean-up the waste that will end up in the river. Organize or participate in a shoreline, neighbourhood, park, or school yard clean-up. See www.ottawariverkeeper.ca for details of how you can get down and dirty for the sake of the river. It’s actually lots of fun!
8. TURN MONEY BLUE
Choose Ottawa Riverkeeper as the charity of your family, school or club. Hold a fundraising event to support a healthy and clean river. Check out what other River Friends are doing and learn about great fundraising ideas!
9. BE A WATER HERO
It’s important to think about why the river matters to you, but even more important to share what you have learned with friends and family. Many people do not understand that watersheds are very important to our health and happiness. You can show them. To be a water hero, you may choose to study or describe the river in a future school project. You can talk to your family about responsible water use. Maybe you will form a group to take action to protect the river. There are many ways to improve the river’s health. The final decision is up to YOU.
For more information about the program, please contact us.
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