08/27/2026
This summer, two of our summer students, Taylor Porter and Anais Aubrey-Smith, had the opportunity to create and deliver a youth water stewardship program here in Fort Smith. 🌊
Together, they developed a series of hands-on activities and field trips that brought youth out to the Salt River and Salt Plains to learn about the waterways in their community and the importance of protecting them. From testing water quality and identifying benthic macroinvertebrates to searching for fossils, exploring watersheds, and learning about water science careers, the program gave youth the chance to learn by getting out there and experiencing it for themselves.
The project was made possible through partnerships with Wood Buffalo National Park, the Town of Fort Smith Daycamp, and ECC Water, who helped provide staff, knowledge, and resources throughout the summer.
Looking back, one of the most rewarding parts was seeing youth become more curious and confident in understanding the water around them. Many participants had never visited the sites we explored before, and we hope these experiences helped build a lasting connection to the land and water around them. 🌿💙
A huge thank you to everyone who helped make this project possible and to all the youth who came out, got their hands wet, and learned alongside us!
