The Old New River. New River State Park: an Environmental Education Learning Experience Designed for Grades 7 and 8
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DOCUMENT RESUME ED 431 620 SE 062 647 AUTHOR Bailey, Paul; Beazley, Lea J. TITLE The Old New River. New River State Park: An Environmental Education Learning Experience Designed for Grades 7 and 8. INSTITUTION North Carolina State Dept. of Environment, Health, and Natural Resources, Raleigh. Div. of Parks and Recreation. PUB DATE 1999-00-00 NOTE 133p.; For the previous edition, see ED 376 040. AVAILABLE FROM New River State Park, P.O. Box 48, Jefferson, NC 28640. PUB TYPE Guides Classroom Teacher (052) EDRS PRICE MF01/PC06 Plus Postage. DESCRIPTORS Biology; *Environmental Education; Grade 7; Grade 8; Hands on Science; Junior High Schools; *Parks; *Resource Allocation; Science Activities; Science Programs; *Water Quality IDENTIFIERS North Carolina ABSTRACT This activity guide, developed to provide hands-on environmental education activities geared to New River State Park in North Carolina, is targeted for grades 7 and 8 and meets curriculum objectives of the standard course of study established by the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. Three types of activities are included: pre-visit, on-site, and post-visit. The on-site activity is conducted at the park, while pre- and post-visit activities are designed for the classroom. Major concepts included are: water quality, biotic index, indicator species, metamorphosis, native aquatic species, stewardship of natural resources, watersheds, and natural resource management. Includes a vocabulary list, scheduling worksheet, parental permission form, North Carolina Parks and Recreation program evaluation, and information about New River State Park.(CCM) ******************************************************************************** * Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made * * from the original document. * ******************************************************************************** U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION Office of Educational Research and Improvement PERMISSION TO REPRODUCE AND UCATIONAL RESOURCES INFORMATION DISSEMINATE THIS MATERIAL HAS CENTER (ERIC) BEEN GRANTED BY hi.document has been reproduced as received from the person or organization originating it. 0 Minor changes have been made to improve reproduction quality. TO THE EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES Points of view or opinions stated in this document do not necessarily represent INFORMATION CENTER (ERIC) official OERI position or policy. 1 New River State Park An Environmental Education Learning Experience Designed for Grades 7 & 8 New River State Park An Environmental Mutation Learning Experience Designed for Grades 7 & 8 "The care of the River is not a question of rivers, but of the human heart." Tanaka Shozo "We are born of water and need to be sustained by it." Lyall Watson, The Water Planet, A Celebration of the Wonder of Water Funding for the original printing of this Environmental Education Learning Experince was contributed by . C P&L 5 Other Contributors... Park volunteers; The N.C. Department of Public Instruction; The N.C. Division of Water Resources; The N.C. Department of Environment and Natural .Resources; and the many individuals and agencies who assisted in the review of this publication. 500 copies of this public document were printed at a cost of $3,993 or $7.99 per copy ®Printedon recycled paper. 10-98 6 iv This Environmental Education Learning Experience was developed by Paul Bailey Lead Interpretation and Education Ranger, New River State Park & Lea J. Beazley, Interpretation and Education Specialist North Carolina State Parks N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation Deiiartment of Environment and Natural Resources AIM James B. Hunt, Jr. NCDENR Wayne McDevitt Governor Secretary 7 Table of Contents 1. Introduction Introduction to the North Carolina State Parks System 1.1 Introduction to New River State Park 1.2 Introduction to the Activity Packet for New River State Park 1.6 2. Activity Summary 2.1 Correlation Chart 2.2 3. Pre-Visit Activities #1 Keys to Knowledge 3.1 #2 Knowing the New 3.2 #3 Pointing Out Pollution 3.3 4. On-Site Activities #1 Life in the Fast Stream 4.1 Part IWhat's In the Water? 4.1.2 Part IICalculating Water Flow of the New River 4.1.10 #2 Riparian Ramble 4.2 5. Post-Visit Activities #1 Judge and Jury 5.1 #2 New Development? 5.2 #3 Reality Check Rural Development 5.3 6. Vocabulary 6.1 7. References 7.1 8. Forms 8.1 9. Notes 9.1 Introduction to the North Carolina State Parks System reserving and protecting The North Carolina State As one of North Carolina's pNorth Carolina's natural Parks System has now been principal conservation agen- resources is actually a rela- established for more than cies, the Division of Parks tively new idea. The seeds three quarters of a century. and Recreation is responsible of the conservation What started out as one smallfor the more than 147,000 movement were planted plot of public land has grownacres that make up our state early in the 20th century into 58 properties across the parks system. The Division when citizens were alerted state, including parks, manages these resources for to the devastation of Mount recreation areas, trails, rivers,the safe enjoyment of the Mitchell. Logging was public and protects and destroying a well-known preserves them as a part of landmark the highest peak the heritage we will pass on east of the Mississippi. As to generations to come. the magnificent forests of An important component this mile-high peak fell to of our stewardship of these the lumbermen's axe, lands is education. Through alarmed citizens began our interpretation and 'to voice their environmental education objections. Governor services, the Division of Locke Craig joined them in -Parks and Recreation strives their efforts to save Mount to offer enlightening Mitchell. Together they programs which lead to an convinced the legislature to _ lakes and natural areas. This understanding and pass a bill establishing vast network of land boasts appreciation of our natural Mount Mitchell as the first some of the most beautiful resources. The goal of our park of North Carolina. scenery in the world and environmental education That was in 1915. offers endless recreation program is to generate an opportunities. But our state awareness in all individuals parks system offers much which cultivates responsible more than scenery and stewardship of the earth. recreation. Our lands and waters contain unique and valuable archaeological, geological and biological resources that are important parts of our natural heritage. For more information contact: N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation P.O. Box 27687 Raleigh, NC 27611-7687 919/ 733-4181 http://ils.unc.edu/parkproject/ ncparks.html 9 New River State Park, NC 1. 1 October 1998 Introduction to New River State Park he New River is believed Numerous species of trees New River into the National Tto be one of the oldest and wildflowers grow along Wild and Scenic River System rivers in North America. Its the wooded banks of the river. and thus ended the threat of the meandering nature is typical ofOccasionally American river being dammed. a river flowing on flat land chestnut sprouts can be found, The National Wild and before the Appalachians were but white pines, hickory and Scenic River System was created. During mountain oaks are the most common designed to protect the natural building about 500 million trees. and scenic values of free- years ago, the river had enough The New River area of flowing rivers while providing force to cut down into the earth, northwest North Carolina and the opportunity and facilities following its original course. As southwest Virginia was being for public use and enjoyment several miles of rock have been used as a hunting ground by of those waterways. eroded away since then, the Native Americans when the The required criteria for exact location and appearance Of fffst European settlers arrived Wild and Scenic River the river have changed over time. in the late 1600s. These early designation are that the river The New River begins in settlers were from Virginia. must: the Boone/Blowing Rock area,They established an be free flowing; flowing northward through independent and isolated way be long enough to provide North Carolina, Virginia and of life, farming the mountain a meaningful recreational West Virginia. In West valleys. Many of the farms in experience; Virginia, the New joins the the area have been in the same have a sufficient volume Gauley River to form the family for over 200 years. of water to permit full Kanawha River. The In 1962, the Appalachian enjoyment of water-related Kanawha flows into the Ohio Power Company applied to the activities; River which then flows into Federal Power Commission have a high water quality the Mississippi River. to build two dams on the river. to support The New River is home to The dams would have flooded fish and some unique animal life. The 42,100 acres in Virginia and wildlife. Kanawha darter, Kanawha North Carolina and would minnow and a species of riffle have forced over 2,500 people beetle are found only in the to move. New River. The hellbender, This plan was opposed by an unusually large salamander many of the area's farmers which can grow to 30 inches and land owners. Opposition in length, is also found in the grew into a national river. Despite its fierce soundingmovement. Through a long name, large size, and the folldore period of nationwide publicity that it is poisonous, this creature and legal battles, a bill to is harmless. More common ani- federally protect the river mals found in or along the emerged. banks include ducks, beavers, On August 30, 1976 turkeys, deer, ospreys, ground- President Ford signed the bill hogs, foxes and muskrats. which placed 26.5 miles of the New River State Park, NC 1.2 1 0 October 1998 - , \ 0 Non 7 0 4 A N. , ) aC`P ,.