River Restorations and their Environmental and Social Impacts

Urbana Middle School, Urbana, IL

UMS WaterWorks students were led on an activity by Ryan Jackson, UMS co-teacher and Civil Engineering PhD student at the University of Illinois, to learn about river restorations and debate the restoration of the Great Kankakee Marsh. Day 1 introduced the students to the Kissimmee River restoration in central Florida. The students heard about Mr. Jackson's personal experiences on the restored and channelized sections of the river and watched a video produced by the South Florida Water Management District (SFWMD) on the history of the Kissimmee and the success of the restoration. The video also included interviews with scientists and citizens who had varied viewpoints on the restoration.

Day 2 of the activity introduced the students to the Great Kankakee Marsh in Illinois and Indiana and posed the question 'Should we restore the Kankakee River?'. Students were assigned roles including farmers, environmentalists, ecologists, local government officials, Indiana state representatives, sportsmen, and concerned citizens. Roles were assigned to allow students to take the perspective of someone with whom they would not normally side. Information sheets were given to the students which the students used to form arguments for their case. The activity culminated with a town hall meeting where each student argued their role's perspective in front of the state representatives who listened to the arguments and decided whether to back or oppose the restoration.

Links: Lesson Plans and Materials, Kissimmee River Video

(Left) WaterWorks students watch "A River of Dreams" about the Kissimmee River. (Right) Mr. Jackson hands out the roles for the activity.

(Above and Below) Students prepare their arguments for the town hall meeting.