Last Updated on January 30, 2024
The San Antonio River Authority (River Authority) staff is committed to safe, clean, and enjoyable creeks and rivers. Still, we need YOU to help us protect and preserve area natural resources for future generations. There are many ways you can get involved and Be River Proud!
We want to highlight your positive actions, so please share pictures or videos of you and your loved ones on social media using #BeRiverProud. Once a month, we’ll feature your stories on our blog. This month, we’re celebrating National Environmental Education Week by highlighting schools and organizations where students learn what it means to be #RiverProud. Read along to learn more!
After going completely virtual in the 2020-2021 school year, the River Authority’s Education and Engagement Team was excited to return to outdoor-based programming this school year! Visiting Confluence or Acequia Park on a weekday morning this year, you were likely met with smiles and laughter from students on an outdoor field trip led by our team. These life-changing experiences allow students to explore the ecosystem of the San Antonio River, learn about non-point source pollution problems and solutions, and participate in an activity with a visiting partner organization. Can’t make it out to the park? The education team will go to you! Our educators conduct in-person classroom presentations and have virtual options, too.
The first few months of 2022 have been quite busy for field trips, with spots booked months ahead of time. And for a good reason! During one field trip, fifth graders from Salado Elementary had a wonderful time interacting with live animals that traveled all the way from San Antonio Bay! With the help of Captain Whitney from the Texas Floating Classroom, students connected our actions upstream with the effects we have on organisms downstream.
The River Authority education and recreation teams organized a memorable field trip with CAST STEM High School at Acequia Park. Students learned how to safely paddle on the river, went on a nature hike to identify plant and animal species, and even saw the 300 + year old San Juan Acequia. That’s older than the Declaration of Independence!
Even community organizations interested in environmental education have visited our education team! For their spring break architecture camp, Girls Inc. of San Antonio took a trip to Confluence Park to learn how the park was designed to work with nature to protect the San Antonio River.
Are you an educator?
Here are a few ways to show love for your river and celebrate National Environmental Education Week:
- Commit to keeping our local waterways clean by taking the pledge with your students.
- Engage with us on social media! We love to see pictures of field trip experiences in action.
- Harness the power of place-based education and stewardship in your classroom! Visit our Educator’s Toolkit and download the Campus Cleanup Service-Learning Program materials. Students will learn about the San Antonio River watershed and how non-point source pollution impacts the ecosystem. They can then take action to solve this problem with a litter pickup on their school grounds. Talk about empowerment!
- Keep yourself up to date on what’s happening in your watershed by signing up for the blog.
- Explore our Curricula and RIVER CAMP! webpages where you’ll find educational activities for every grade level.
During this week of recognition and appreciation for environmental educators everywhere, we want to thank you for inspiring the younger generations to grow into lifelong stewards of our precious natural resources. With your commitment and dedication, we can keep our waterways safe, clean, and enjoyable for years to come!
SHOW US YOUR RIVER PRIDE FOR A CHANCE TO BE FEATURED!
How to #BeRiverProud in 4 easy steps:
- Engage in any activity showing river pride, such as: recreating along the San Antonio River, showing your stewardship for the San Antonio River, picking up trash as part of the Don’t Let Litter Trash Your River initiative, and using sustainability practices at your home. (Read Show Your River Pride and What You Can Do for examples of activities you can do at your home and at River Authority parks.)
- Post a picture of your activity on social media!
- Tag @sanantonioriver
- Include #BeRiverProud
