#2007-05: March 26, 2007 Catskill Center hold 1st annual Student Congress Thirty-five area students showcased their research on local streams at the first Student Watershed Congress administered by the Catskill Center for Conservation and Development in partnership with NYC DEP, Hudson Basin River Watch, and Riverkeeper, on Friday March 23rd. Select students from Windham-Ashland-Jewett Central, Stamford Central, and Hunter Elementary Schools convened at the Catskill Mountain Foundation in the Village of Hunter to hear from stream monitoring professionals, and share their own research conducted on local streams. Members of Mrs. Valerio's fourth grade from W.A.J. presented their research on the impacts of Japanese Knotweed on biodiversity in the Batavia Kill. Ms. Nissen's 6th graders at Stamford presented the first phase of their research on coliform bacteria in private springs and wells at residences surrounding Stamford. Mrs. Staiber's 4th grade class, also from Stamford, tracked phosphate in groundwater and the potential for leaks from manure tanks. The combined 4th grade classes of Mr. Fletcher and Mrs. Lafferty of Hunter presented their data on the school stream, comparing the biological, physical, and chemical changes from 2004 to 2006. Students heard from Aaron Bennett, Director of Education for the Catskill Center, Bill Wegner, Watershed Analyst for Riverkeeper, Doug Reed, president of Hudson Basin River Watch, and Jenn Grieser, Stream Program Manager for NYC DEP. Students took a variety of water monitoring tools and information, provided by the NYC DEP and The Catskill Center, back to their classrooms to continue their research and excellent work. The day was filled with enthusiasm and inspiration from all of the young scientists working to monitor and protect our local natural resources.