NEWPORT — The popular Youth Discovery Program that last year saw 300 third grade students from Orleans County learning about the area aboard the Northern Star boat, has been continued on land.
The program used a similar approach as was used on the Northern Star.
Students from Newport City, St Paul’s, Charleston, Derby, and Newport Town became “Lake Detectives,” using their senses to observe and explore during a nature walk.
They learned the origins of Lake Memphremagog, where all the water in the lake comes from, and their school watershed address.
They also investigated the damage the can happen from runoff and how to protect our lakes and streams with buffer planting.
Since participants could not be on the water they went in the water and added a near-shore experience, wading in and collecting some macroinvertebrates living in the water.
Later students observed them under a magnifying lens.
Continuing this program on land will enable the Memphremagog Watershed Association to jump the program back onboard when the boat floats again.
