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Neuse Riverkeeper Samantha Krop went back to school this week, with a visit to Exploris Middle School in Raleigh.

It was the third opportunity she’s had to introduce Exploris students to the Neuse River watershed.

“They are in the midst of a water-quality and creek stewardship unit where they learn all about water quality, pollution concerns, nutrient pollution, stream bank restorations and bentho- macroinvertebrates,” Samantha said. “This was an intro for them on the Neuse River basin, where they live and go to school and the really cool things about it.”

Samantha said she and the students compared how the Neuse looks in the upper and lower parts of the watershed and talked about the issues facing the entirety of the river: algal blooms, fish kills, and pollutions of all types.

“Everybody who lives in Raleigh knows a creek, a lake, a spot they go to that means something to them, so it was fun to talk about those places, too,” Samantha said. “And the students were excited to talk about how they can get involved in protecting them.”

Exploris is a free, independent, public charter school serving grades k-8. Admission is by lottery and is open to any student who is a North Carolina resident. Rooted in experiential, project-based learning, Exploris has been serving students in the downtown Raleigh community for more than 25 years.

Samantha said she was excited to return to the school for a third year running.

“They’re an awesome group — all of them,” she said.

Like the educational outreach your Riverkeeper is doing? She does! (And so do the rest of us at Sound Rivers!) Donate today to help us continue teaching the next generation about environmental stewardship!