Service-Learning Projects

Youth groups are invited to take part in important service-learning projects throughout the watershed. These projects, designed to protect, maintain or restore the health of the waters of the St. Croix watershed, will encourage youth in developing positive environmental values, responsibilities and stewardship. Natural resource professionals will assist youth groups and their adult leaders in choosing and implementing projects that will improve water quality and habitat. National Park Service staff will provide additional educational materials as well as presentations as requested and feasible.

What is Service-Learning?

Service-learning combines meaningful community service with instruction and reflection to enrich the learning experience.

Participating in a service-learning project may help youth gain skills in:

• critical thinking
• communication
• teamwork
• civic responsibility
• problem solving
• scientific method
• and more

Take Me to the River projects are environmentally focused. Service-learning that involves environmental projects can give additional benefits. Youth will experience:

• opportunities to research and analyze environmental information
• finding positive solutions to problems
• a sense of pride in the natural communities around them
• the ability to take initiative
• making decisions and putting their ideas into action about the environment they live in

For more information:

In Wisconsin, contact the UW-Extension Youth Development Educator in your county:

• Burnett County (and others not listed below) - Mary Pardee, 715/349-2151 or mary.pardee@ces.uwex.edu
• Bayfield County - Ian Meeker, 715/373-6104 or ian.meeker@ces.uwex.edu
• Douglas County - Sarah Wilcox, 715/395-1363 or sarah.wilcox@ces.uwex.edu
• Polk County - Chuck Prissel, 715/482-8600 or charles.prissel@ces.uwex.edu
• Sawyer County - Lori Laberee, 715/634-4839 or lori.laberee@ces.uwex.edu
• Washburn County - Annette Bjorklund, 715/635-4444 or annette.bjorklund@ces.uwex.edu

In Minnesota, contact the University of MN Extension Regional Extension Youth Educator:

• Rebecca Meyer, 218/726-6467 or meyer178@umn.edu