Who: Highlands County teachers and administrators, Southwest Florida Water Management District and Charlotte Harbor Environmental Center (CHEC) staff.
What: Approximately 12 science teachers and school administrators are participating in a field study that focuses on the Peace River Basin. The two-day excursion includes a guided wading tour of the Charlotte Harbor Estuary, a discussion about the watershed led by a CHEC scientist, and a boat tour on the Peace River to conduct water quality monitoring tests.
The field trip is funded by the Southwest Florida Water Management District.
When: Friday, April 17, 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. (wading tour, discussion and education center tour)
Saturday, April 18, 9 a.m. to noon (water quality monitoring)
Where: Ponce de Leon Park, 4000 W. Marion Avenue in Punta Gorda and the Charlotte Harbor Environmental Center, 10941 Burnt Store Rd. in Punta Gorda
Why: The goal of this field study is to provide teachers with an overview of water resources issues in the Peace River Basin. Dorothea Strickland, Highlands County K–12 science resource teacher, organized the in-depth field study to provide hands-on learning opportunities and knowledge that teachers can use in their classrooms.
District Contact: Mary Torrusio, communication coordinator, 800-423-1476, 4773 or 727-504-2053 (cell)
School Contact: Dorothea Strickland, Highlands County K–12 science resource teacher, 863-471-5610