In Eugene, water is everywhere. It runs from the tap, falls from the sky and flows in rivers, tributaries and streams.
But for University graduate Cindy Thieman, water is not just a convenience — it is the focus of her academic and professional involvement in the Long Tom Watershed, which is located west of Eugene.
Today at 4 p.m., Thieman will extend an invitation to undergraduate and graduate students to follow the same path and become involved in Oregon watershed councils. In 303 Chapman, representatives from the Mid-Fork Willamette, Coast Fork Willamette and McKenzie Watershed Councils will share information about their organization, activities and volunteer opportunities.
Operating with limited grant funds, the watershed councils were formed by and depend on volunteers. While obtaining her graduate degree in biology and planning, public policy and management, Thieman wrote the grant application in 1997 that initially funded the Long Tom Watershed Council. As the council’s projects and monitoring coordinator, Thieman currently works with a volunteer group of citizens to learn about the watershed and what they can do to improve the water quality and habitat conditions of their local streams and tributaries.
Although the council’s members — environmentalists, farmers and residents — have diverse backgrounds, they come together at council meetings to give their opinions and see the fruits of their labor. Changes they have made involve pesticide-spraying habits, stream shading and erosion prevention.
Students also can have a direct impact on Oregon’s water and habitat quality.
“Students may become engaged at many different levels,” Honors College science Professor Dennis Todd said. “Some may want an excuse to get out in the open air and plant trees for a day or two; others may undertake a terminal project or thesis topic.”
The councils potentially need students’ help in their watershed assessment, water quality monitoring and restoration activities, Thieman said. She added that in the past, student-volunteers have learned new skills and have also been a real asset to watershed councils. They can also gain internship credit.
“It’s a win-win situation for both (students and watershed councils),” she said.
University graduate student Jason Barney became involved with the Long Tom Watershed Council by chance. Barney met a council intern in a University computer lab. At another chance rendezvous on Spencer’s Butte, Barney volunteered his geography skills to help the council.
Now, Barney uses software to analyze data and display analysis on maps. In fact, Barney’s internship work with the watershed council has developed into his graduate thesis. He said he plans to assess stream-restoration potential, determine the most effective method of restoring streams and prioritize them. Because a watershed requires an inherently interdisciplinary approach, Barney said he must research biology, chemistry, ecology and geography.
Barney said that those passionate about the environment should volunteer with the councils and test the career waters.
“It’s practical, hands-on, real-world stuff,” he said.