The Quinnipiac River Watershed Association Receives 3M Environmental Grant

[Virginia Chirsky]

The Quinnipiac River Watershed Association received a $20,000 grant from 3M to enhance its Biodiversity and Ecology Education Programs for the Quinnipiac River.

QRWA and 3M continue their relationship by adding a partnership with Meriden High Schools in providing environmental education programs where students in the watershed and beyond will be able to participate in field trips, classroom activities, hands on projects, and independent studies, that will connect them to the environment, the community and the river.

With the financial support of 3M, QRWA and Maloney High School Environmental Science teacher Mark Britton will lead the project and invite the other area high schools to participate in these programs and throughout the school year. The programs will be offered during regular school hours utilizing the schools buses to transport students to site locations.

With these educational programs students will be able to participate in experiments to support theories and concepts explained in the classroom. The QRWA Headquarters, located on the shore of Hanover Pond, the Quinnipiac River and the Meriden Linear Trail provides the perfect staging area for field trips, hands-on projects and water quality studies.

The following includes the 3M/QRWA High School Environmental Education Programs but not limited to:

Expanded Rapid Bioassessment by Volunteers (RBV)
QRWA/Hanover Pond Field Trip - Determine the relationship between the physical, chemical & biological factors in Hanover Pond
Independent Study/Personalized Learning Experience
Create a self- guided nature trail at Hanover Pond
Create a 100’ x 30’ educational riparian buffer
Design & Design & Construct a catamaran research vessel
Trout in the Classroom Program

3M Purification Inc. is located in Meriden, CT at 400 Research Parkway. For more information about 3Mgives visit www.3Mgives.com On behalf of the QRWA board of directors we would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Joe Struble at 3M Purification Inc. in Meriden for his continued encouragement and support of the QRWA and its mission.