The Environmental Study Team (EST) is a youth development program of the Schoharie River Center located in Burtonsville, Montgomery County, New York. A year round environmental science and outdoor club for 13-18 year olds, the program meets bi-weekly, and encourages/assists youth team members to integrate and apply what they are learning in their academic studies (Science, Math, History, Language, and Arts) to the local environmental studies, field research projects, local history, archeology and community education activities of the Environmental Study Team.

A main focus of the EST Program is to assist and encourage youth team members to be aware of and active in the monitoring and improvement of their local environment and community through participating in professionally supervised water quality monitoring and rapid bio-assessments of the Schoharie Creek (and its tributaries); organized stream bank clean-ups; and community education programs. EST activities offer the youth members an opportunity to participate with both peers and adults in positive, constructive, task oriented projects that both enhance the quality of life of the community and reinforce goal directed personally responsible behavior among environmental team members.

The skills EST members learn are those used in assessing and documenting the physical, chemical, and biological properties of freshwater streams as outlined in the EPA Rapid Bioassessment Protocols for Use in Wadeable Streams and Rivers, and EPA Volunteer Stream Monitoring: A Methods Manual. Working under the supervision of adult program staff trained in the fields of biology and field ecology, counseling, social work, and education; and with active volunteer parent participation, the youth EST members learn to analyze, interpret and present the findings of their research both in writing and orally to the public and to local, county, state and federal officials at public meetings and scientific conferences. The team's research is published annually on the web at www.hudsonbasin.org.

In operation since 2001, The Environmental Study Team's activities have included identifying and documenting local point sources of pollution entering the Schoharie Creek and providing the information to the appropriate authorities so that action could be taken. The team is participating with other volunteers in the on going clean up of a local illegal tire dump, and participates annually in Hudson Basin River Watch's Clean Water Congress and the New York State Envirothon program.

In addition, the program also focuses on encouraging youth members to be physically fit and active throughout their life by involving them in life-long mastery based, out-door recreational activities and hobbies such as hiking, cross-country skiing, snow shoeing, swimming, sailing, kayaking & canoeing, fishing, orienteering, nature photography and maple-syrup making. Through all the activities of the program, EST strives to foster in the youth members a sense of personal competence and self-confidence and encourage a life long interest in learning, promote positive social behavior, and an involved citizenship.

For more information about the Schoharie River Center, visit www.schoharierivercenter.org.

PARTNER STATEMENT

The National Wildlife Federation (NWF) would like to congratulate the Environmental Study Team at the Schoharie River Center on winning the Environmental Excellence Award. This dedicated group works hard to monitor and improve the local environment through its water quality and bio-monitoring research projects, stream bank clean-ups and outreach through community education activities.

Focusing not only on science and ecology, the youth learn year-round about the history of the area as well as the culture and folklore of its people. NWF applauds the broad-based approach to education and conservation that the Environmental Study Team is taking. By offering opportunities for students to engage in activities year-round, including outdoor skills like cross-country skiing, camping and canoeing, they are providing the next generation a chance to connect with nature and their community while learning how to make positive changes today.

For additional information on connecting children with nature, visit NWF's newest web resource at, www.greenhour.org.