Inspiring the Next Generation of Scientists and Environmental Stewards
Journey of Water
2024 Journey of Water Youth Education Series
This series of programming provides children and families with hands-on water science education, covering topics such as:
- the water cycle
- wetland ecology
- wastewater treatment
- biomonitoring and benthic macroinvertebrates
- water quality monitoring, and more!
The events in this series provide a unique opportunity to connect to the journey of water right here in the Cayuga Lake Watershed. You will experience where water flows into the lake via streams like Six Mile Creek at the south end, and out of the lake through the Seneca River and the Montezuma Wetlands at the north end.
Join us, free of charge, to learn about how water cycles through our local ecosystems and communities!
To document your journey, we will provide each child participant with a Journey of Water passport! At each stop along the way (all twelve of the Journey of Water programs in the series), you can “collect” a stamp for your passport.
How do you participate ? Children must participate in at least:
- (1) “Wild Wetlands, Fantastic Filters” program,
- (1) of the “Water Quality Monitoring Cruises” with Discover Cayuga Lake,
- (1) “Creek to Faucet” or “Lake to Faucet” program,
- (1) “Stream Biomonitoring Fun!” program and
- (1) “Down the Drain and into the Lake!” program.
In total, five out of twelve programs must be attended to get their passport stamped! At the last program attended, the child will turn in their passport, and we will send them a 2024 Journey of Water t-shirt! Of course, all are welcome to attend all twelve programs in the series as well! One t-shirt per child.
Wild Wetlands, Fantastic Filters
Where we’ve held this program in the past:
Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge, Buttermilk Falls State Park
Water Quality Monitoring Cruises on Cayuga Lake
Where we’ve boarded the MV Teal in the past:
Ithaca Farmers Market @ Steamboat Landing, Allen H. Treman State Marine Park
From Creek/Lake to Faucet
Where we’ve held this program in the past:
City of Ithaca Drinking Water Plant, The Southern Cayuga Lake Intermunicipal Water Commission at Bolton Point
Stream Biomonitoring Fun!
Where we’ve held this program in the past:
Six Mile Creek, Buttermilk Creek, Fishkill & Enfield Creeks
Down the Drain and Into the Lake
Where we’ve held this program in the past:
Ithaca Area Waste Water Treatment Facility
The Journey of Water program series would not be possible without the continued support from the Park Foundation. The Park Foundation’s support allows CSI to continue offering unique, experiential learning activities focused on connecting youth with their local water resources and how these resources are managed. Through this series, CSI provides locally focused water science learning opportunities free of charge to dozens of children and accompanying adults.
Collectively, CSI’s “Journey of Water” program series provides a strong, place-based understanding of water management for local youth by utilizing CSI’s in-house water science expertise and our partnerships with state agencies and local organizations.
Park Foundation Mission: “Park Foundation is a family foundation dedicated to advancing a more just, equitable, and sustainable society and environment, both nationally and in our local Ithaca community. We are principled, strategic and fearless in our grantmaking, collaborative with our partners, and nimble and innovative in our approach. We are committed to challenging the powers that threaten an independent media, a robust democracy, and the future of our planet.”
