SLEWS Habitat Restoration

Why SLEWS is Needed


Slews On Location

Education

Hands-on, real world projects like SLEWS provide learning experiences for students where they can develop science skills and work alongside science professionals.

California schools are preparing to implement the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). With these new standards the focus is shifting toward students developing and practicing science skills rather than simply learning science content.

The SLEWS Program involves students and teachers in real environmental projects where students can hone scientific practices such as asking scientific questions, analyzing and interpreting data, and constructing explanations, while exploring ecosystem interactions.

Environment

Not long ago, California was a rich and diverse system of streams, wetlands, woodlands, and grasslands. In the last 200 years, agriculture and development have reduced the number and quality of these ecosystems. Today, habitat loss, combined with the effects of climate change, is a serious threat to water and air quality. Fortunately, many farmers, ranchers, and land managers are responding to the crisis in ecosystem health with conservation and restoration projects that improve the health of their watersheds.

The SLEWS Program has a direct and positive impact on watersheds by accomplishing real restoration projects and teaching young people about ecosystem health.