Adopt-A-Watershed

Our vision is for education to serve as the cornerstone of a sustainable community, in which all citizens live consciously, choosing actions that ensure a healthy quality of life for current and future generations. Adopt-A-Watershed’s place-based learning programs promote this vision by engaging students in meaningful activities that lead to an understanding of sustainability. Students learn how their choices and actions impact the community and overall environment.

Our mission is to empower communities to care for their watersheds and enhance student learning by providing local leadership development, educational tools, and access to a national network of resources.

Who We Are
Adopt-A-Watershed is a non-profit organization that promotes educational enhancement, environmental stewardship, and community development through Place-Based Learning. We work with schools, youth education programs, community groups, and environmental organizations, guiding them through The 5-Steps to Leadership in Place-Based Learning (The 5-Step). The 5-Step develops leadership skills and strengthens organizational capacity to envision, create, and successfully implement high quality Place-Based Learning. The 5-Step is a proven model for educational, environmental, and community transformation.

Place-Based Learning and Watersheds

Place-Based Learning is simply using our place, where we live, as the context for learning. Participants learn through a process of exploration, action, and reflection. Place-Based Learning engages students and other participants in critical thinking and meaningful projects that enhance their understanding of the place where they live. It provides a framework that integrates the exploration of the socio-cultural aspects and the environmental qualities of the watershed and encourages action that benefits both people and the environment. Place-Based Learning programs provide opportunities for participants to engage in:

  • Integrated learning in the context and direct experience of place
  • Community investigations and service learning projects
  • Community education
  • Reflection and assessment

Why Watersheds? Watersheds are containers for place. We all live in a watershed, from the urban inner-city to the most remote mountain town. The watershed is simply a way to geographically define one’s place. Through exploration in our watershed we learn about the natural processes -- such as fire, weather, or erosion -- as well as human systems -- such as urban development, agriculture, and recreation -- within our place.

Adopt-A-Watershed Office
P. O. Box 1850
Hayfork, CA 96041
Phone: 530-628-5334; Fax: 530-628-4212

To find out more about Adopt-A-Watershed and other Adopt-A-Watershed curricula, see our web site: http://www.adopt-a-watershed.org