Students from Western Wayne High School are taking part in an exciting regional environmental education initiative — the Community Connections to the Watersheds Forum — alongside peers from eight other local school districts. The program brings together student teams from Western Wayne, Carbondale Area, Forest City Regional, Lackawanna Trail, Lakeland, Mountain View, Old Forge, Riverside, and Wayne Highlands to explore the natural world and learn how human activity impacts local waterways and ecosystems.
Each participating school is represented by a team of five students and a teacher-advisor. Throughout the 2025–2026 school year, these teams will engage in place-based educational field experiences, hands-on investigations, and collaborative discussions centered around local watershed systems. The forum is coordinated by the educational staff from Lackawanna, Nescopeck, and Vosburg Neck State Parks.
The program began in September with a trip to Lackawanna State Park, where students were introduced to the concept of a watershed and the importance of water quality monitoring. Through field and lab activities, students learned to identify aquatic macroinvertebrates, practiced chemical water testing, and explored how geology and terrain define local watersheds.
In October, the forum continued at Keystone College, where students conducted a stream assessment of the South Branch of the Tunkhannock Creek. They expanded their understanding of stream ecosystems by studying tree identification, riparian buffer zones, and the effects of native and invasive insects on forest health.
Over the course of the school year, forum participants will visit additional study sites to meet conservation professionals, explore local land-use practices, and discover current environmental technologies being used to protect and restore natural resources. These experiences are designed to align with Pennsylvania’s STEELS (Science, Technology, Engineering, Environmental Literacy, and Sustainability) Standards and Social Studies standards, encouraging students to think critically about real-world environmental issues.
The yearlong program will culminate with a spring stewardship showcase, where each school team will present an environmental action project focused on improving their school campus or local community.
Western Wayne High School is proud of its student representatives for their enthusiasm, teamwork, and commitment to environmental stewardship. Their participation in the Community Connections to the Watersheds Forum reflects the district’s ongoing dedication to experiential learning and sustainability education.
Picture one, students on the Keystone College Trip, from left: Aidyn Graci, Giana Graci, Rhy Locklin, and Aliyah Greogry.
Picture two, students on the Lackawanna State Park trip, from left: Giana Graci, Aliyah Gregory, Dakota Douglas, Rhys Locklin, and Aidyn Graci.
