Speaker Education Series

Spreading Awareness Through Education

The Upper Merced River Watershed Council (UMRWC) brings engaging, educational speaker pop-ups to both regional conferences and local events, sparking curiosity and conversation about our local watershed.

• 🌊 UMRWC at the River Management Society Conference
 Connecting Science, Stewardship & Storytelling

  At the River Management Society Conference in Ashland, Oregon, UMRWC Board Director and watershed advocate Kristina Rylands delivered a compelling presentation on the Salmon Life Cycle and its vital connection to healthy river ecosystems.

  Through powerful storytelling and science-based insights, Kristina highlighted how restoration, conservation, and education efforts are essential to sustaining species like salmon—who rely on cold, clean, and connected waterways to survive. Her talk emphasized the importance of community involvement in protecting riparian systems and inspired fellow river professionals to take action in their own watersheds.

• 🐟 Science on Tap: Salmon Stories & River Connections

  🗓️ Monday, September 22nd | 🕕 5:30 PM
  📍 The Local Grape, Mariposa CA

  Image a Merced and Tuolumne River so teeming with steelhead and salmon you could nearly “walk across the river on the backs of so many fish.” This is not folklore but the experience of locals within our lifetime. The National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) has determined that in order to recover listed populations of salmon and steelhead in the Central Valley, reintroduction to high elevation habitats with abundant cold water is necessary. Currently the NMFS is working with a new consortium of NGOs, tribes, and government agencies-including Mariposa’s Upper Merced River Watershed Council(UMRWC)- to evaluate the feasibility of reintroducing steelhead and/or spring-run Chinook salmon to the upper Tuolumne and Merced Rivers.

  Join UMRWC’s Kristina Rylands and Dr. Molly Stephens to talk about how to go beyond our wildest imaginings and overcome challenges for this type of reintroduction while building partnerships with a diverse coalition of interest groups.

  Free & open to all ages. Come early for a good seat!

• 🛶 Tim Paulmer: Exploring America's Wild & Scenic Rivers and the Rising Challenge of Flooding

  We were honored to host acclaimed author, photographer, and conservationist Tim Palmer, celebrated for his award-winning book Wild and Scenic Rivers of America. During this captivating event, Palmer shared stories and insights from his extensive travels along America’s most treasured waterways, highlighting the beauty, history, and ongoing protection of these natural treasures.

  In addition to reflecting on Wild and Scenic Rivers of America, Tim offered an exclusive look at his newest book, which addresses one of today’s most pressing environmental challenges: flooding. With the perspective of a seasoned river expert, he explored the growing frequency and severity of flood events, their impact on people and ecosystems, and the urgent need for smarter water policy and land use planning.

  The event provided a compelling blend of storytelling, environmental awareness, and thoughtful discussion, leaving attendees both inspired and informed.

Introductions —

Kristina Rylands, Board Director and Vice Chair of the Upper Merced River Watershed Council, opens An Evening with Tim Palmer with a welcome and an overview of the Council’s mission and core values.

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Education in Schools!
Inspiring the Next Generation of River Stewards

Through its dynamic school speaker series, the Upper Merced River Watershed Council (UMRWC) connects local scientists, educators, and storytellers with students across Mariposa County—sparking curiosity, wonder, and a lasting connection to the natural world.

This spring and summer, UMRWC brought hands-on environmental education to classrooms and camps through a series of engaging programs and partnerships, including:

🌿 El Portal Elementary
🎨 Mariposa County Arts Council
🌄 Sierra Foothill Conservancy

• 🦎 El Portel Elementary

  🦎 Board Member Molly Stephens brought the thrill of field biology to El Portal Elementary — how they can make a difference in the environment and stay involved! With her popular amphibian friend, the students learned how to safely identify local frogs and salamanders while understanding their role in healthy ecosystems.

• 🍎 Mariposa Arts Council and Sierra Foothill Conservancy

  🐟 Salmon Lifecycle Games with Krystina Rylands at a Mariposa summer camp, using movement and imagination to trace a salmon’s journey from stream to sea and back.

  🎥 Filmmaking & Nature Stories with Steve Bumgardner (creator of Yosemite Nature Notes) during a 2-day workshop for TK–6th graders. Students explored his video gear and learned how to tell stories through film and nature.

  💧 Watershed in Motion with Gigi Knowlton, who led a marble-flow game to teach how water moves through the landscape, followed by 🪳“Macro Mayhem”—a fun, educational game and coloring activity about aquatic insects and their role in river health.

• 🌊 Interested in bringing a UMRWC program to your school or event?

  Together, we’re creating meaningful learning experiences that combine science, creativity, and stewardship—right where it matters most: in our community’s schools and youth programs.

  
  Contact us at mercedwatershed@gmail.com to get involved!

This gallery highlights the collaborative work conducted in partnership with Mariposa Elementary School, UMRWC Board Director Molly Stephens, Steve Bumgardner (Yosemite Nature Notes), the Mariposa County Arts Council, the Sierra Foothill Conservancy, and UMRWC staff members Gigi Knowlton (Watershed Project Coordinator) and Kristina Rylands (Watershed Director and Vice Chair).