Fifth grades gather for water festival

Eastern Sanders County Conservation District (ESCCD) and Green Mountain Conservation District (GMCD) joined forces to host the Sanders County Water Festival, an event that has not been held since 2019 due to COVID-19 restrictions. Fifth grade students from all Sanders County schools were invited to Thompson Falls State Park last Tuesday for a morning of outdoor, water-based education.

Students rotated through six different stations set throughout the park. Juli Thurston with Friends of Scotchmen's Peak Wilderness covered aquatic invasive species. Kayla Mosher with Kaniksu Land Trust taught students about Leave No Trace practices. Ron Torretta, USFS wildlife biologist and Eric Pfalzer, USFS Biological Science Technician, covered the wildlife station. Sean Moran with Avista and GMCD board supervisor alongside Sarah Busmire, GMCD administrator, ran the fisheries station.

Erin Plue with Trout

Unlimited taught students about macroinvertebrates. Students had the chance to catch and study macroinvertebrates they caught from the pond located in the state park. Plains Public Schools teacher Joseph Kerney helped students catch a variety of macroinvertebrates, including small crawfish and dragonfly nymphs.

Dillon Martini, USDA soil conservationist, spoke to students about soil health. "We promote no till over tillage," Martini said. "I'm talking to the students about the benefits of not disturbing the roots in the soil, the different relationships between soil and fungus and bank erosion problems."

In total, 96 students attended the Sanders County Water Festival. ESCCD administrator Emily Baker organized the event with the help of Busmire. Baker says the very first water festival was held in 2002. While this was her first time organizing the event, Baker described the festival as a "well-oiled machine," and says no major changes are needed for next year. The administrators will be sending out surveys to the students to get their opinions and to hear what they enjoyed. Busmire added, "the kids and presenters were enthusiastic, the weather was perfect and I think everyone had a good day."