Students learn to conserve Carson River

Soroptimist International of Carson Valley hosted Conserve the Carson River Education Day on Oct. 13.

With steady rain falling, volunteers and 120 Douglas County School District students dressed in improvised trash-bag rain gear spent half a day in an outdoor classroom along the banks of the Carson River.

The students divided into groups to participate in stations of work. The stations taught by Douglas High School students included water cycles, how to test water quality, erosion control and animals that share the river with us. A Washoe tribal member explained the role the river plays in tribal activities past, present and in the future. The students used a journal to record the information, which is used in the classroom for continued education.

This was the fifth year the event was presented in this format since its inception in 1995. The program is made possible due to grants received by Carson Water Subconservancy, and Western Nevada Resource Conservation District. Soroptimists helps to organize the event, gathers donations and serves all participants breakfast and lunch at the site.