Educational outreach

Knowledge is power!

A key component to the StreamTeam program is education and increasing community awareness about our local environment. The StreamTeam strives to provide meaningful hands-on environmental activities in addition to educating community members through activities like:

• Student tours
• Service learning events
• Presentations
• Community events

The StreamTeam coordinates the environmental component of the utility's popular Student Education Program.  The program brings nearly 4,000 Clark County fourth and fifth graders to the utility operations facility each year to learn about electrical science, electrical safety, the water cycle and environmental science. The StreamTeam provides a hands-on activity that allows students to think critically about our environment, our affect on it and how we can work together to minimize negative impacts. 

In addition, more than 250 local middle and high school students join the StreamTeam every year to gain hands-on experience through service learning events. Students are able to take classroom concepts and apply them to the real world while completing much needed restoration activities.  During service learning events students not only gain a better understanding of our natural world but also gain skills, build self esteem and learn to work as a team. 

Local groups can also enjoy a presentation on the StreamTeam and easy things Clark County residents can do to improve our water quality, watershed health and our environment at large.  Scout groups, neighborhood associations, religious groups and local business associations have all enjoyed informational presentations followed by question and answer periods. These are great opportunities to take advantage of before your group volunteers with the StreamTeam!     

The StreamTeam does a great job of getting out into the community. You may have seen kids swimming through our "Salmon Life Cycle Obstacle Course" at the Columbia River Watershed Festival, coloring stream inhabitants at the Home & Garden Idea Fair or painting scales for our 7- foot-long Sammy the Salmon at a local fishing derby. The StreamTeam strives to get out into the community to provide educational and entertaining activities for the young and the young at heart.