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River of Words
www.riverofwords.org
Organization Type:
Non-Profit
Mission:
River of Words is an arts and environmental education project designed to nurture respect for and understanding of the natural world, to promote literacy in all its forms, and to build community partnerships. The project aims to foster place-based, local, interdisciplinary, hands-on education by promoting local knowledge of watersheds and the cultures they create; cultivating a sense of connection to place; encouraging action and imagination in young people; acknowledging their creativity and concerns; and helping them to give back to their local, national and international communities through dissemination of their poetry and art.
Contact:
Pamela Michael, Executive Director
River of Words
933 Parker Street #38
Berkeley, CA 94710
Phone: (510) 548-7636
Fax: (510) 548-2095
info@riverofwords.org
Geographical Focus:
International
Counties Served:
All
Activities:
Education, Advocacy, Policy, Conservation, Restoration
Topic:
Wetlands, Aquaculture, Cultural History, Kelp Forest, Islands, Beaches, Rocky Intertidal, Wildlife, Energy, Watershed Hydrology, Habitat Restoration, Endangered Species, Water Quality/Storm Water Runoff, Bay & Estuary Habitats, Coastal Access, Boating, Marine/Estuary Reserves and Sanctuaries, Environmental Justice, Open Ocean/Oceanography, Sand Dune Habitats, Fisheries, Coastal Processes, Watershed Art & Poetry
Educational Resources:
Curriculum, Activity/Learning Kit, Posters, Outreach Programs, On-Site Programs, Field Trips, Publications, Brochures, Exhibits/Displays, Website, Library/Lending Materials
Speaker/Lecture Series:
Teacher Training Workshops, slide show presentations and speeches on a variety of topics, including how to incorporate watershed exploration and the arts into classroom and field activities; developing a sense of place; combining environmental and arts education.
Education Programs:
Publications:
- "River of Words: The Natural World as Viewed by Young People" - annual book of winning poetry and art, edited by Robert Hass
- "River of Words Educator’s Guide" - wealth of classroom and field activities, resources, reading lists, etc.
- "ROWing Partners: 101 Ways to Build Community Partnerships" - booklet on how to implement River of Words (or any project) in your community
- Postcards and reproductions of ROW children’s art
Teacher Training Workshops (for both formal and non-formal educators): Instruction in creek ecology and the natural and cultural history of the area's watershed, combined with a study of the "art of creeks." Classroom and field activities that involve creating nature-based art and poetry, using all the senses when observing the natural world, urban and backyard creek sleuthing, discovering your "ecological address."
Target Audiences:
K-12, Adult, Teacher, Non-Formal Educator, University Student, General Public
Other Languages:
Some of our outreach materials are translated into Spanish. We accept contest entries in Spanish and American Sign Language (on videotape).
In-Service Training:
Teachers, Docents/Volunteers, Naturalists, Students/Interns, General Public, Policy Makers:
River of Words has trained EPA officials, teachers, Girl Scout leaders, museum staff, park rangers, river guides, and many others. Our workshops are tailored to the needs of a given audience or agency.
Volunteer Opportunities
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