(Check out the video below!)
Migrant Education Program (MEP) students wrapped up a summer of fun with a snorkeling trip in the pristine Pigeon River.
As part of MEP’s Camp RIO partnership with the Buncombe County Soil and Water Conservation District (BCSW), rising seventh through 12th graders learned about water quality and macroinvertebrates. On Aug. 9, they celebrated with an experiential learning trip to search for tiny animals and enjoy the water.
“We’ve talked about stream health and all the things that live in the stream,” said BCSW Environmental Educator Rose Wall. “We’ve looked at different macroinvertebrates, identified what we found, and talked about how certain animals are more sensitive to water quality than others. We’ve talked about different sources of pollution and what they can do to improve water quality in their communities. And today is about using the stream for recreation. We don’t just get water and food from it. We also play in it.”
It's a great opportunity for students to experience the outdoors and get connected to the land and water, said MEP Migrant Recruiter Grace Gonzalez.
“It’s a great experience for both the knowledge gained and the fun,” she said. “You can tell they really enjoyed it.”
This program was made possible by the Pigeon River Fund.
MEP is a federally funded program that assists migratory farm worker students in achieving academic success. In addition to school year and summer activities, MEP provides students and their families with tutoring, school supplies, help finding community resources, assistance with transferring school records, and more.
More photos are on Facebook and Instagram. Also check out the Instagram Reel!
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