YOU and YOUR Beachwood’s AP Environmental Science class is getting some realworld experience while partnering with The Cleveland Metroparks. Because it is designed to be a course in environmental science rather than environmental studies, the course must include a strong laboratory and field investigation component. In order to give students an exemplary experience, the Metroparks are working with us at Acacia Reservation bordering the City of Beachwood. As of November, students have taken two of five field trips to the site. They are using Tier II monitoring equipment borrowed from Tri-C to evaluate the water quality of tributaries to Euclid Creek which eventually drains to Lake Erie. Monitoring can be conducted for many purposes including 1) characterize waters and identify changes or trends in water quality over time; 2) identify specific existing or emerging water quality problems; 3) gather information to design specific pollution prevention or remediation programs. For now, students are collecting data that they will later use to evaluate the quality of the stream. Metroparks staff is interested particularly in the conductivity levels of the site and the impacts from parking lot and road salt. Students will also do a macroinvertebrate study as a way to assess water quality, by understanding what key species of stream “critters” find a home in Acacia. The last visit showed that the stream at the headwaters of the reservation is only in fair condition, not surprising since this site is surrounding by heavy traffic, housing and large commercial sites. BOARD OF EDUCATION Mitchel Luxenburg, President, 382-8943 • ml@beachwoodschools.org Dr. Brian Weiss, Vice President, 464-6678 • bw@beachwoodschools.org Joshua Mintz, 245-0000 • jmintz@beachwoodschools.org Steve Rosen, 292-5562 • srosen@beachwoodschools.org Michael Zawatsky, 292-9916 • mzawatsky@beachwoodschools.org Partnering with Cleveland Metroparks In addition to these monitoring activities, each visit includes applying classroom-learned concepts. The last trip included looking for examples of human disturbance and explaining the consequences to the site. The next field trip will look at understanding soils and observing and predicting the succession process that will be taking place naturally as the golf course is no longer maintained. As the Metroparks ramps up its restoration efforts over the next year, students hope to be involved in rebuilding riparian borders along the creek, monitoring restoration efforts, and looking for ways to engage the public educationally. Students will also gain an appreciation and a responsibility for how they can both impact and maintain the environment in their region. 34 Beachwood Buzz n December 2015