Green Team (Grades 6-12)

Green Team is a year long service-learning program which engages high school and middle school science classes throughout the Portland metro area in stream and wetland enhancement projects. Each school adopts a different stream, as close to their school as possible in their own community and visit the site at least three times during the school year. Students learn the basics of watershed, threats to watershed health, impacts of land use, stream restoration techniques, restoration design, vegetation and water quality monitoring, and native plant identification through on-site hands-on activities and related in-class activities.

“SOLV is a great partner for Rachel Carson. The work we do together is life changing for our kids, staff and parents. The work spreads and our families get out to do more of these projects of their own.”
- Rebecca Hall, Rachel Carson Environmental Middle School

• A chance for students to perform much needed community service while learning about stream restoration.
• A chance for students to see first hand how science learned in the classroom is applied in the field.
• A chance for students to interact with adults in the environmental science field and learn about science careers.
• A chance for students to see how volunteerism positively affects local community and natural habitat.

“I’ll never forget when my students presented their work on Rinearson Creek to the Rinearson Creek Planning Team. After their presentation, their pride, self esteem and sense of accomplishment went through the roof. Not only had they taken pride in their work at Rinearson, they also felt they had made a huge difference in our community.”
- Kevin Zerzan, Gladstone High School

• Site, tools, gloves, plants, site services, materials and supplies
• Presentations that introduce concepts of watersheds, water quality, plant ID etc
• Onsite staff to provide guidance and instruction
• Guest speakers and connecting your class with scientific professionals

• Transportation
• Classroom management

The following is an example schedule of activities we offer. Most classes visit their site once a month but you could do more or less.

Students start off with an in-class presentation that introduces the concepts of watersheds and the impact urbanization has on stream and wetland health. Students also learn actions they can all take together as a class and on their own to positively impact watershed health.

On site students learn to identify native and invasive plants and perform an initial assessment of the issues their particular stream faces. After learning how invasive species are impacting stream health and wildlife habitat, they work to remove these species from the site and prepare the area for native trees and shrubs.

Historically, plenty of wild fish returned to upper watersheds to spawn and die, recycling nutrients into the aquatic ecosystem. Every November, salmon return to Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife hatcheries, and the nutrients their carcasses would provide are missing from our upper watersheds - unless we add them back in! Through this partnership with ODFW, students learn more about the Salmon life cycle and why their stream enhancement work is so critical for fish habitat.

During the planting season, October through March, students plant native trees and shrubs and work on their identification skills as they plant. They learn how the natives they plant will provide shade for streams, decrease erosion and enhance wildlife habitat.

Students also learn about civic engagement and leadership, laying the foundation for long-term stewardship of the environment. They have opportunities to take what they’ve learned, outreach to their community, and lead their own community tree planting projects.

Thanks to our wonderful partners, students have opportunities to work with science professionals in the field. Students work with Restoration Ecologist Dennis O’Connor to use bioengineering methods to stabilize eroding stream banks. Students work alongside Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife Step Biologists during Salmon Tosses. During Women in Science Day girls get to talk with female scientists about their careers and the paths that got them there.

Through macroinvertebrate sampling and water quality testing students gain experience collecting scientific data in the field and take it back to the class room to analyze their results. They also gain a better understanding of organisms living in streams and water quality issues in urban streams.

Monitoring the site is an extremely important part of the project. It allows students to measure the success of the projects, identify work that needs to be done, learn from mistakes and ensure the sustainability of project sites. We have developed a protocol that combines vegetation plot monitoring and photo-point monitoring which will be conducted once a year in April or May.

Anyone in the field will tell you that maintenance is the most critical piece of any stream enhancement project. Having students visit sites several times throughout the school year helps us to keep on top of any maintenance needs like animal damage, watering, and invasive species returning. Lots of eyes on the site help us to ensure the success of the projects.

As a final reflection, students have the opportunity to present the results of their activities over the year to community members or project partners. This really helps students pull everything they learned together realize the importance of their work to the community and the environment.

How To Get Involved

1. Contact SOLV:
   Meghan Ballard
   Program Coordinator
   meghan@solv.org
   800-333-SOLV