 |
|
Toyota USA Foundation Awards $100,000 to River Stewards The Colorado River Foundation is pleased to announce that the Toyota USA Foundation has approved a grant in the amount of $100,000 to complete funding for our innovative three-year River Stewards science education program for more than three hundred Bay City youth. On May 10, 2007, program participants visited Matagorda Bay Nature Park for their second outdoor learning experience. During their first program year, these sixth-grade students have been introduced to the following topics and more: - Animal Adaptations (studies with live animal presentations, skeleton and shell analysis) - Dichotomous Key (shell gathering and classification) - Classification of Fishes (hands-on presentations with various oceanic and freshwater fish) - Energy (solar, wind, hydroelectric experiments generating energy) - Watersheds, Water Conservation & Pollution (constructing sample watersheds with natural resources such as sand, rocks, and soil, examination of dune formation and beach erosion) - Water Usage Timelines (historical research, relevance of water conservation) - Geology & Scientific Method Practices (usage of scientific measurement tools, including microscopes, as well as group data reports) The positive response of students and Bay City teachers has been noteworthy, and the Foundation has received encouraging written feedback from participants, such as: "They have taught me about fish, fossils, fossil fuels, reptiles, arthropods, birds, and amphibians. We even learned about this thing called the Dichotomous key... That was the best science field trip ever", "It was cool how they had exhibits or stations with solar panels, or using wind to make electricity or move water", "I liked when they showed us the parrot, snake, and the turtle, they were very pretty... I want to go back every school year." The Foundation is deeply grateful to the Toyota USA Foundation for its generous contribution to the River Stewards program. This support enables us to bring all three hundred students back for their second and third years of the program, completing this innovative three year program and study. It is our belief that River Stewards will have a lasting impact on its participants, both in classroom comprehension and in appreciation for their natural environment. The Colorado River Foundation wishes to thank all supporters of River Stewards: The Barnard-Fain Foundation – The Braitmayer Foundation Kids on the Colorado Awards Dinner and Golf Tournament On April 23, 2007, the Colorado River Foundation welcomed more than five hundred guests at the Hyatt Regency Lost Pines in Bastrop, enjoying a beautiful morning for golf on the Wolfdancer course, and an ideal night for entertainment in the hotel’s grand ballroom. Proceeds from sponsorships as well as the live and silent auctions at the event helped us meet our annual goal of funding for Kids on the Colorado, allowing more than five hundred at-risk or underserved youth to experience the visceral excitement, physical challenges, and learning opportunities provided through a personal experience on the Colorado River. Speaker of the House Tom Craddick, Jimmie Dale & Janet Gilmore, Andrew Sansom, Meredith Keelan, Michael & Pam Reese, and Woodbine Development Corporation were all present to accept awards for their commitment to the stewardship of the Colorado River. Additionally, students from The University of Texas Elementary School gave heartfelt speeches about their exciting experiences in Kids on the Colorado programs. By every measure, the event was a resounding success. The Colorado River Foundation thanks all of our sponsors, auction donors, and volunteers for making this wonderful event possible, and we look forward to building on this success for next year! Click HERE for pictures from the Awards Dinner and Golf Tournament! Barstow Speaker Series Our inaugural Barstow Speaker Series luncheon on December 5, 2006 welcomed special guest Matthew Dowd to speak about the growing importance of the environment in the political arena. The turnout was impressive, and we look forward to building on the success of this event for future programs. As Mr. Dowd stated, the world is growing and changing at an astonishing pace, and the importance of adapting to this change and protecting our community’s water resources is more vital than ever before. This makes the mission of the Colorado River Foundation all the more essential, and we encourage you to pledge support in our efforts to promote the education, understanding, and stewardship of our most essential natural resource, the Colorado River in Texas. The Barstow Speaker Series is named for long time Foundation supporter Bob Barstow. Mr. Barstow and the Barstow Foundation have been instrumental in furthering the programs and services of the Colorado River Foundation, and we are deeply indebted to his family for their kindness and dedication to the Colorado River. The Barstow Speaker Series will continue to bring prominent business, community, and environmental leaders to address members and friends of the Colorado River Foundation on a variety of topics pertaining to the Colorado River and environmental stewardship. If you would like to make an additional gift to the Barstow Speaker Series Fund, please contact Emily George Seiders at 512-458-8844. Redbud Center The Colorado River Foundation is pleased to announce that the construction of the new Redbud Center in west Austin is nearing completion. In summer of 2007 our offices will move into this remarkable building, where we will commence the recruitment, organization, and implementation of a docent tour program at the on-site interactive park. Please click the link below to learn more about this facility and the programs that the Colorado River Foundation will be operating for visitors and students from Texas and beyond. |
|
June 20, 2007 November 3, 2006 October 25, 2006 May 1, 2006 Newsletters Current & Past Newsletters: |
