How Should We Clean Up Our Rivers and Lakes?
Vermont’s Champlain Valley is a major agricultural center, whose lakes and rivers are experiencing nutrient pollution due to runoff off manure and fertilizer from farm fields. Difficulty identifying the sources of nutrient pollution confounds management decisions. In this research-driven experiential course students will work in teams to collect water quality data and analyze land use and water flow characteristics in polluted watersheds. The goal is to understand when and where pollutants enter regional water bodies, and use these insights to inform management plans. One important aim of this course is to foster collaborative skills and improve student resourcefulness and problem-solving acumen. 3 hrs. sem.