Phosphorus in our Watershed听
This January, the 糖心直播 (UTRCA), with support from the Canada Water Agency, launched “Phosphorus in our Watershed,” a specialized educational initiative for local Grade 9 Science students. In this three-part program, UTRCA Community Education staff reached nearly 100 students across four classes in the northern part of our watershed at Stratford District Secondary School and St. Michael Catholic Secondary School. 听
Phosphorus in our Watershed invites high school students to examine how agricultural phosphorus fertilizers run off into local waterways and result in harmful algae blooms in Lake Erie. The program is delivered through three consecutive in-class sessions involving a watershed simulation game, an interactive erosion experiment, and a hands-on project that tasks students with managing the environmental footprint of a farm. The program encourages students to weigh the effectiveness of various conservation strategies against the economic and operational realities of modern farming. It concludes with formal group presentations where students defend their chosen strategies, demonstrating proficiency in critical thinking, communication, and environmental stewardship.听
By focusing on the Thames River鈥檚 downstream impact on Lake Erie, the program teaches students how land use can have broad and far-reaching impacts on the health of our water. The program highlights local farmers who champion Best Management Practices (BMPs), farm practices that help curb nutrient loss from farms without compromising the viability of agricultural operations. By implementing strategies such as planting cover crops to hold soil in place, establishing buffer strips along creeks to filter runoff, or using precision nutrient management to apply fertilizer more accurately, BMPs can significantly lower the amount of phosphorus that reaches the Great Lakes, as well as deliver potential benefits to farmers such as improved soil health and long-term fertilizer savings. Understanding BMPs allows students to see that environmental protection is not about stopping human activity, but rather about refining our methods to ensure long-term ecological resilience.听
This听program听is offered at no cost to听participating听schools and is designed to meet specific Grade 9 Science curriculum expectations while fostering 21st-century competencies.听It听serves as a vital bridge between the classroom and the community, empowering the next generation to take an active role in protecting our shared water resources.听
UTRCA鈥檚 education work on phosphorus extends beyond this Grade 9 initiative and includes complementary programming for other grade levels, teacher professional development, and tools/resources that help educators bring local water quality topics into the classroom. UTRCA also connects learning to stewardship actions that build understanding and responsibility for protecting waterways and downstream Great Lakes health.听