About the X-Stream Team

The X-Stream Team with Community Partners. (From left to right: Cristina Watson: Middle Fork Willamette Watershed Council, Janna J. Green, Jolyn Overton (bottom), Dana Maher: X-Stream team graduate facilitator, Ernie Ledbetter: United States Forest Service, Rebecca Marcus and Katie MacLachlan 

     The X-Stream Team is a collaborative service-learning project initiated through the Environmental Leadership Program (ELP) at the University of Oregon. We are partnered with the Middle Fork Willamette Watershed Council and the United States Forest Service in the joint pursuit of educating youth on the environmental issues that affect the streams and rivers in their lives. Using a six-foot stream simulator our group facilitates hands-on lessons that teach students about watersheds, land uses effects on watersheds, how to identify pollution, and the complicated issues surrounding dams. Lessons are centered around Western Oregon’s waterways and are adapted to the learning opportunities presented by each unique classroom setting. The X-stream team was called to service from the shared belief that the next generation deserves a head start in repairing the environmental challenges we face today and tomorrow.