Teachers work together on a soil analysis activity at Rush Ranch Open Space. Photo courtesy of Solano Resource Conservation District

SOLANO COUNTY, CA (MPG) - Just days before heading back to their classrooms, 26 teachers from across Solano County traded desks for wetlands, boats and sunny trails as part of the Solano Water Institute for Teachers.

Hosted by Solano Resource Conservation District, this three-day outdoor professional development program immerses K-12 educators in the natural and managed water systems that define our region.

Over the course of the training, teachers engaged with local scientists and water professionals, deepened their understanding of regional environmental issues and explored hands-on activities they can bring back to their students. The experience combines field trips to local open spaces with interactive workshops aligned with California’s Project WET curriculum, facilitated by longtime coordinator Brian Brown.

The Solano Water Institute for Teachers began with a full day exploring the Suisun Marsh at Rush Ranch Open Space. Teachers learned about wetland ecology and management from experts such as Steve Chappell from Suisun Resource Conservation District and Matt Ferner from the San Francisco Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve.

Teachers also practiced mindfulness exercises based on University of California, Berkeley’s BEETLES Project. These activities were especially well received, with one participant noting, “This gave me new tools for getting my students grounded and present, especially right after lunch or recess.”

Day two brought teachers to Lake Berryessa, where they boarded a boat to tour the reservoir and hear from representatives of Solano County Water Agency, California Department of Water Resources, City of Benicia and the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. The group discussed everything from watershed health to state-level infrastructure challenges and gained a new appreciation for the scale and complexity of California’s water system.

Teachers work together on a soil analysis activity at Rush Ranch Open Space. Photo courtesy of Solano Resource Conservation District

During the question-and-answer session, teachers were eager to discover new opportunities to connect their students with local water experts.

On the Solano Institute’s third day, teachers immersed themselves in the Project WET curriculum at Dunnell Nature Park & Education Center in Fairfield. Brian Brown led teachers through activities and facilitated discussions about how they can bring the curriculum into their classrooms.

Guest speakers from Solano County Parks and the United States Geological Survey shared ways for teachers to connect students with local resources, databases, and outdoor spaces.

“Coming into this, I didn’t expect to have as much fun as I did. It was interesting and it was interactive,” said Jesse Castillo, a Rodriguez High School teacher in Fairfield. 

All participants will receive a cash stipend and can claim up to 27 hours of continuing education credit, including participation in a follow-up workshop in October where teachers will reflect on how they applied their learning in the classroom.

The Solano Water Institute for Teachers is funded by the Solano County Orderly Growth Committee. Support is from the California Department of Water Resources and the School Water Education Program (Solano County Water Agency; Fairfield-Suisun Sewer District; and the cities of Vacaville, Fairfield, Suisun City, Vallejo, Dixon and Benicia).

The workshop is hosted by Solano Resource Conservation District with facilitation from Brian Brown, California’s Project WET coordinator.

For more information, visit: https://www.solanorcd.org/projects-and-programs/education/educator-workshops.html or email [email protected].

Save the date. Next year’s Solano Water Institute is tentatively scheduled for July 29 to July 31. To be added to the Solano Resource Conservation District’s interest list, contact Sierra Cecchini at [email protected].