Across Jackson County and much of Oregon, restoration and conservation projects often outpace the available funding and staff capacity to monitor them effectively. At the same time, high school students might lack awareness of careers in environmental science or an understanding of the skills these jobs require. This dual challenge presents a unique opportunity: engage youths in real-world monitoring while addressing critical data gaps in restoration efforts.
By combining real-world relevance with experiential learning, SWAT strengthens local restoration efforts while building the next generation of environmental professionals.
The Student Watershed Assessment Teams (SWAT) program is a hands-on, field-based learning initiative developed through a partnership between the Jackson Soil and Water Conservation District (JSWCD) and Oregon State University’s Southern Oregon Research and Extension Center (SOREC). Since 2014, SWAT has provided students with authentic environmental monitoring experiences while supporting local agencies and organizations with much-needed data collection.
The Oregon State University Extension Service helps provide essential leadership, scientific guidance and coordination for the SWAT program, ensuring that student activities align with professional monitoring standards and regional restoration goals. Its involvement connects classroom learning with real-world application, strengthening both environmental outcomes and workforce development in natural resources.
Working closely with Logos Charter School science teacher Chris VanNess, SWAT engages 12–15 students per year through a competitive application process. Participants take part in eight field excursions, conduct site journal entries, complete homework assignments, and give an end-of-year presentation to JSWCD. Field sites span diverse ecosystems, including subalpine forests, oak woodlands, and riparian zones.
Students collect and analyze data on water quality, sedimentation, erosion, forest stand inventory, fuel loading and vegetation. They learn essential skills such as macroinvertebrate sampling, GPS use, photo monitoring, studying plants and tree measurements. Equipment, training and site coordination are supported by partnerships with agencies like the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, The Nature Conservancy, and the Rogue Valley Council of Governments.
In 2024, 21 students participated in SWAT: 12 in the spring, 12 in the fall and three were enrolled for both semesters. The program not only enriched their scientific knowledge but also fostered leadership and data management skills. Repeat students led peer activities and participated in an advanced GIS mapping project at Vesper Meadows, documenting beaver dam analogs for future restoration planning.
Student-collected data has directly supported:
- Vesper Meadows, documenting beaver dam analogs, taking water quality samples and stream photo points.
- OSU Extension forester Max Bennett (now retired) at the Collins Demonstration Forest with wildlife tree data collection before a prescribed burn.
- Rogue Valley Council of Governments with water quality and revegetation monitoring along Bear Creek.
- Medford Water, which supplies water to Medford, and project partner the US Forest Service, by documenting post-grazing exclusion impacts on soil and vegetation.
By combining real-world relevance with experiential learning, SWAT strengthens local restoration efforts while building the next generation of environmental professionals. The program offers a replicable model that delivers both educational and ecological benefits.
Continued support for programs like SWAT not only strengthens restoration outcomes but also cultivates a skilled, inspired future workforce ready to take on Oregon’s environmental challenges.