The Root River Environmental Education Community Center (REC) is holding a celebration for its new weather station Thursday, July 28, beginning at 9 a.m.
Made possible by a grant from the AT&T Foundation, the station will be installed at the REC, located at 1301 West 6th St., Racine, and will be used to educate school children and the public about the affects of climate on water quality in the Root River.
“The REC’s location within an urban watershed river offers a unique opportunity to tie water monitoring into weather curriculum,” said Dr. John Skalbeck, director of UW-Parkside’s Center for Community Partnership which runs the REC. “Dissolved oxygen levels are affected by water temperature and aquatic plant photosynthesis, which are directly affected by the weather. This weather station is a vehicle to educate the community about how weather relates to water quality.”
Skalbeck, who also serves as an associate professor in UW-Parkside’s Geosciences department, said the weather station will be installed in spring 2011 along with an educational program in which area youth can participate. Skalbeck thanked the AT&T Foundation for its generous support which will improve students’ understanding of the factors contributing to water quality. The AT&T Foundation weather station celebration is free and open to the public.
A partnership between UW-Parkside and the City of Racine, the REC connects area students and residents to Racine’s Root River through research and recreational opportunities. Canoe rentals and bicycles are available at the REC Fridays through Sundays from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Educational activities for area school children and university students are conducted throughout the year.
For more information on the REC, visit www.uwp.edu Keyword: REC or call 262-595-3340.
