What the Watershed Taught Me: My Year with the Watershed Ambassador Program
By Kara Kretser, AP Environmental Science Student at Plattsburgh High School
To say that I have been simply “fortunate” to have experienced the Lake Champlain watershed from a new perspective this year would be a vast understatement. Throughout the course of the school year, I have found myself knee-deep in the Saranac River and sorting through sand at the Plattsburgh City Beach. I have seen the effects of pollution on marine life and got to share my newfound passion for environmental conservation with the next generation of scientists. These memories have created a collage of academic applications in my mind that have forever influenced my perception of the watershed. I credit the entirety of the experience to the Watershed Ambassador Program.
Searching for benthic macroinvertebrates in the Saranac River was among my favorite adventures during my time with Lake Champlain Sea Grant. I spent a sunny September afternoon with my AP Environmental Science Class learning about the unseen world in our watershed. It was there that I was first introduced to the stonefly and the scud, both common organisms found in northern New York aquatic environments. Using the D-frame nets to uncover these hidden creatures gave students real field experience, inspiring some to research college and career paths associated with environmental conservation. It took putting eyes on the organisms that rely on our advocacy for conservation to drive home the importance of preserving our clean drinking water and maintaining ecosystems for benthic macroinvertebrates. My class may not have gained that perspective without the support of the Watershed Ambassador Program.
Another memorable experience was the Microplastics Day at the Plattsburgh City Beach. I had the opportunity to teach fourth-grade students about the permanent pollution that can be found on the shores of Lake Champlain. From bottle caps and food wrappers to nurdles along the railroads, the sources of plastic pollution in our watershed are numerous. The younger students enjoyed establishing a plot of land and sifting through the sand at the beach to search for these microplastics. It was enlightening to see how much the environment mattered to the kids, some even stating that it was the best field trip they had taken all year. Teaching the content reinforced my own understanding of the subject, and I send my thanks to the Watershed Ambassador team for making that experience possible.
Being a part of the Watershed Ambassador program will stand out as a highlight when I reminisce about my time at Plattsburgh Senior High School. I felt such fulfillment to be a recipient of the knowledge of smart, motivating individuals with an inspiring passion for the watershed. I will carry what I learned with me as I move into the adult world, filling my washing machine with larger loads and working with boat stewards to check my vessels for invasive species. It takes a community to make change and spread awareness, and it was a privilege to be a part of the Watershed Ambassador team.
