“Being in natural spaces like this, with all of these trees, the sounds of water and this beautiful, clean, fresh air, it actually helps heal our brains,” explained Heidi Ferris, founder of Growing Green Hearts, as she met a group of 4th grade students from Hayes Elementary School at Rice Creek on October 24.

Ferris invited the students to take a seat on a bridge that spanned Rice Creek so they could watch the water, look at the trees and observe nature. This activity was the first of several that Ferris led for these students.

“In partnership with Growing Green Hearts and the Rice Creek Watershed District, we were granted funds to cover this first time field experience for our 4th grade students,” said Cara Claggett, PYP coordinator for Hayes Elementary school.

Fourth grade students counted storm drains and discussed the difference between storm drains and sewers while on their walk from Hayes to Rice Creek. They noted how water run-off impacts bodies of water like creeks and the creatures and plant life that live there.

While at the creek, students examined macroinvertebrates that were present in the creek water as well as used a turbidity tube to examine water clarity. Additionally, they tested the PH and Nitrate level of the water.

The students were excited to find so many macroinvertebrates. They rotated through different bins of creek water finding a variety of different creatures.

“If we found zero things living here, that would be bad. It would say the water quality is yucky,” initially warned Ferris, “But you're finding a wide variety of living things. From clams, to water pennies, to studs, to damselflies, to leeches, all of those little critters equal biodiversity. All of those living things equal a healthy eco-system. So congratulations!”

Claggett summarized, “fourth grade students had the opportunity to see how their actions toward the natural environment within their community and our school community, impact other living things in nature.”