Teens Work on Erosion Control with Support from Patagonia

Students from Silver Stage High School traveled to Dayton Valley to work on stream bank erosion. River Wranglers coordinated the project with support from a grant funded by Patagonia.

Kylie and Rachel, two teens that presented activities about noxious weeds and agriculture at the Carson River Festival, planted native seeds and staked down erosion control mats along the Carson River.

“I like doing this because I am interested in pursing a degree in rangeland management.” said Kiley, a senior at Silver Stage High School. “I know that I am making a difference in our watershed.”

River Wranglers and Dayton Valley Conservation District coordinated work on the river as part of a bioengineering project. In the fall, students from Dayton, Silver Stage and Fernley High Schools worked with students from Dayton, Sutro, Silver Stage and Hugh Gallagher Elementary Schools. They bundled willows and placed them along the stream bank. By spring, the willows take sprout and their dense root system will hold the soil on the river bank in place.

A few high school students returned to the project to provide final treatments and learn more about bioengineering techniques.

“The teens are enthusiastic workers” said Rich Wilkenson, manager for the Dayton Valley Conservation District “They are doing a great job and are interested and concerned about the river.”