Denver, August 27, 2008 - FrontRange Earth Force, The Greenway Foundation, Keep It Clean Denver, and the Cole Arts and Sciences Academy (CASA) hosted fifteen Democratic National Convention Committee(DNCC) delegates from California on Wednesday. Working along the South Platte River in Commons Park, delegates and students and guests all worked on four environmentally-based service and educational projects:
- Water Quality: Through water testing activities, DNCC delegates helped to determine levels of dissolved oxygen, phosphates, temperature, turbidity, and pH within the South Platte. Youth leaders directed testing activities and explained its importance and how testing can help indicate the health of the South Platte. Students also gave examples of sources which add or detract from these indicators.
- Non-point Source Water Pollution: Youth leaders provided DNCC delegates with background on Colorado "separate storm water systems." Colorado's storm water system carries directly to local drainage ways, and from there, to the South Platte. Earth Force youth are currently involved in supporting the development of a Keep it Clean From Drain to Stream educational campaign to mobilize park users to pick-up after their dogs.
- Macroinvertebrates and Water Animal Life: DNCC delegates learned about determining the quality of water through macroinvertebrate collection and counting. This activity displayed tools and techniques used to collect macroinvertebrates.
- Habitat Restoration: Youth lead DNCC delegates in restoring native area habitats. Youth leaders provided background on "native" verses "noxious" plant species, and the importance of restoring plant habitat along the river. Delegates utilized restoration and beautification techniques promoted by the Conservation Service.
"FrontRange Earth Force has long utilized the South Platte River as a living laboratory for teaching youth about local ecology, community involvement and leadership," commented Lisa Bardwell, Executive Director of FrontRange Earth Force. "The DNCC Delegate Service Day on the South Platte is a great opportunity for our youth to be ambassadors for Denver demonstrating their knowledge about the river, Denver, the environment, and bringing about community change."
The Democratic National Convention Committee, Metro Volunteers, and Volunteers of America, in conjunction with Michelle Obama and Colorado First Lady Jeanne Ritter, made service an integral part of the Convention in Denver, by helping to coordinate Delegate Service Day at service sites throughout the Denver metro area. The South Platte River site was sponsored by Democrats Work with FrontRange Earth Force's own Youth Action Board serving as hosts for the day, greeting the delegates and pitching in on the projects along the river.
FrontRange Earth Force would like to thank its partners, The Greenway Foundation, Keep It Clean Denver, and the Cole Arts and Sciences Academy (CASA), the staff and volunteers as Democrats Works, our students, and the delegates and guests who joined us for the afternoon. We appreciate your time, efforts, and your interest in learning more about Denver's waterways!
Read more at the Online News Hour on PBS and on The Other 95% blog.