School of Engineering, 1073 N Benson Rd, Fairfield, CT 06824, US

The Mill River Wetland Committee is a non-profit organization founded in 1967 to strengthen environmental education through the study of river basins. In the late 1960s and early 1970s, the Mill River Wetland Committee promoted the purchase of open space along the Mill River in Fairfield and took a leading role in the defense of endangered wetlands. Concern for the town's environmental future prompted the Mill River Wetland Committee to launch River-Lab, a hands-on program of environmental study for grades 3 through 6 in Fairfield public schools, and all elements of the program have been adopted as part of the science curriculum in those grades. River-Lab, in consultation with teachers and environmental experts, provides classroom materials and activities for students, extensive training for study-trip guides and professional development for teachers. Classroom training is enhanced by study trips to the Mill River and town estuaries. Each year, 160 River-Lab volunteers guide more than 3,500 children on 650 study trips. Study trips for students in grades 3, 4 and 5 are at the Perry's Mill Open Space on Sturges Road, and study trips for students in grade 6 are at the St. Mary's, Southport and Ash Creek estuaries. Volunteers who want to be study guides must complete two training sessions to be a qualified guide. Volunteers are needed, especially in the following areas: Artists, annual meetings, awards, board members, editing/writing, fundraising, garden expo, grant writing, hospitality, marketing, membership, office work, photography, public relations, research consultants, scrap book, strategic planning, trail maintenance and volunteer picnics. The group's major fundraiser is an annual garden expo.

Weindling, Judith K

Charles F Dolan School of Business

Fairfield University

Dimenna Nyselius Library