Water Quality Forum

Educational Initiatives

The Water Quality Forum strives to educate community members of all ages and occupations about the streams and rivers in the East Tennessee region and involve these people in activities that protect and improve the health of local watersheds. In keeping with these goals, the WQF partners conduct ongoing K-12 water quality education programs and special projects and events.

Upper Tennessee River Adopt-A-Watershed Program


Collecting benthics using a D-net.

The Upper Tennessee River Adopt-A-Watershed (AAW) challenges students to investigate and improve the health of their school’s watershed. AAW is based on the nationally implemented Adopt-A-Watershed Program that is designed to transform a school’s watershed into a "living laboratory".

In Knox Co., the CAC AmeriCorps Water Quality Team along with trained middle and high school teachers use this laboratory as a place to bring curriculum to life by helping students assess their adopted watershed. It also gives students an opportunity to make a difference in their community by organizing and participating in a watershed improvement project.

 


Sorting and identifying macroinvertebrates allows students to evaluate stream health.


Student assists TVA biologist in collecting fish using the electroshocking method.



The start of a mural of Love Creek created by Holston Middle students.



Students assist TVA in community plant giveaway.