Chemung River WatershedFriends of the Chemung River Watershed, “River Friends”, is a not-for-profit corporation formed in December 2009 to preserve and promote the 45-mile-long Chemung River and its tributaries – the Canisteo, Cohocton, Cowanesque, and Tioga rivers. Partnering with municipalities to protect our local waterways, they also work to make our local rivers easier, safer, and more fun to use and enjoy.

 

Purpose:

  • To provide educational mentoring for Chemung River Watershed staff;
  • To provide STEM learning for Finn Academy: An Elmira Charter School educator;
  • To build a relationship with both organizations;
  • To promote our organizations’ aligned missions & improve learning for our community’s children;
  • To promote river safety & exposure to beautiful, historical, and vital natural resource;
  • To provide an opportunity for additional community partnerships.

 

What it looks like:

  • Team-building for school staff;
  • Summer-based learning experience on the Chemung River, beginning with a 3-day experience for rising 1st through 3rd graders in the July of 2015, and expanding with the addition of each grade level in subsequent summers;
  • Celebration of Learning;
  • Mission Alignment of Leadership;
  • Classroom visits, discussions, and presentations;
  • Communication between organization leaders;
  • Curriculum integration as per the Next Generation Science Standards, the National Geography Standards, and the New York State Common Core Learning Standards P-12
  • Professional Learning provided by volunteers as needed
  • Authentic learning opportunities for scholars
  • Classroom expeditions to the river to learn & practice behavioral expectations