VENTURA COUNTY — On Aug. 8, the Ventura County Public Works Agency’s Watershed Protection District (VCPWA WPD) hosted a tour of the Santa Clara River for the Rio School District (Rio) Superintendent’s office.
Rio is building a new 11-acre, K-8 STEAM Academy that will back up to the Santa Clara River and SCR-1 levee (upstream of Highway 101). It’s scheduled for completion in August 2018.
In an effort to energize his team about the new school location, Rio Superintendent Dr. John Puglisi requested an overview for the Rio leadership team, which consists of principals of all eight schools, directors, and the assistant superintendent. VCPWA WPD shared background on every aspect of the Santa Clara River from its history, its physical characteristics, its resident flora and fauna and floods, to information on the groups who are involved in management of the water and habitat, its challenges, as well as its significance and impact on the community.
The tour also included a presentation on behalf of representatives from VCPWA WPD and United Water Conservation District, with invited guest speakers from Aspen Environmental Group and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
The Rio School District hopes to cultivate a community partnership with VCPWA WPD as part of its goal to expose students to various local professionals to help broaden the students’ visions of their future potential.
“The Santa Clara River is literally in the School Districts backyard. There are so many opportunities for the school district to foster environmental and community stewardship around the Santa Clara River Watershed through the STEAM learning curriculum,” said Lara Meeker, VCPWA WPD Water Resources Specialist and Coordinator for the Santa Clara River Watershed. “Watershed Protection District itself is multi-disciplinary in approach to water resources management and we look forward to inspiring the next generation of engineers, biologists, planners, and community leaders to champion healthy watersheds in Ventura County for a more environmentally and economically-sustainably future.”