Last week the junior class of Animas High School - about 60 students – experienced a hands-on field trip in Silverton revolving around water quality. Animas High teachers Steve Smith and Amy Haggart collaborated with Mountain Studies Institute to design a field day that included a Bonita peak mining district tour of the superfund site, water quality sampling and analysis, and a stewardship activity. MSI partners with schools to support hands-on learning in our living classroom: the San Juan Mountains. Learn more about MSI's education programs by clicking here.

Jeremy May, and Americorps volunteer with MSI, teaches students and parents about a mine reclamation project at the Lakawana Mill in Silverton.

Then students got their hands dirty learning about (and eliminating!) invasive weeds in another restoration area along the Animas River trail in Silverton.

MSI provides educational volunteer opportunities to give people a chance to learn about the San Juans while giving back their communities in a meaningful way. To learn about volunteer opportunities with click here and select 'volunteer'.