Education and Outreach

Drift South Expedition is built on a foundation of outdoor education, scientific expertise, and community engagement. Our crew includes educators experienced in guiding youth through wilderness and field science, as well as environmental professionals trained in water quality monitoring, data analysis, and policy advocacy. This blend of skills enables us to translate complex science into hands-on learning and empower individuals to take real-world action.

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What We Teach

1. Citizen Science

   • Activities to empower everyday citizens to engage with science on the river​

   • Some examples: Turbidity Testing, Debris Survey, an Basic Chemistry Testing

2. Field Skills & Data Literacy​

   • ​Sampling Protocols: Understand why — and how — to use standardized methods to ensure accurate, repeatable results.​​

   • Data Management: Learn best practices in recording, handling, and uploading data for community and policy use.

   • Basic Stream Chemistry: Test pH, nitrates, and temperature through easy DIY kits.

3. Environmental Storytelling & Advocacy​

   • Collecting Stories: Guide participants in sharing their own river experiences—fuel for meaningful engagement.​

   • Policy Pathways: Show how everyday observations can inform conversations with local representatives and drive positive change.

4. Engaging with Nature & Outdoor Skills​

   • Canoe & Camping Basics: Teach canoe camping essentials—from paddling technique and camp setup to Leave No Trace ethics and wilderness safety (like the "J-stroke," first aid, packing methods, and hazard awareness)​

   • Nature Connection: Immerse in conservation-minded paddling and wilderness experience, fostering empathy and stewardship .

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What Outreach Looks Like

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• Tabling events: Live demos, hands-on activities, local story collection, and policy sign-up opportunities.

• Online Learning: Social posts, tutorial reels, and way to engage policymakers

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Why It Matters

By bringing science out of the lab and into the canoe—and into communities—we're empowering locals to:

• Understand their watershed, not just follow headlines

• Actively monitor and care for their river, with easy, replicable tools

• Speak up with data and stories that resonate with neighbors and officials

• Build a culture of grassroots science—a resilient response to shrinking environmental oversight