Kettle Creek Crusaders
At Lake Riviera Middle School, the enthusiasm, engagement and conservation concerns of students and staff in utilizing the “environmental area” on the school grounds spurred the creation of the Kettle Creek Crusaders. This group is a dedicated group of 20 students wanting to expand the already extensive environmental studies curriculum of Lake Riviera Middle School to include the study of watershed management. This unique service-learning opportunity allows students to work with local professionals and staff to compile an inventory of indigenous vegetation and wildlife of the Kettle Creek Watershed, which has a tributary on the school campus. Their analysis of water quality and prevention of water pollution are lively topics for a variety of presentations given by the students throughout the community. Kettle Creek Crusaders have been asked to be the keynote speakers at the 13th Annual Ocean County Environmental Roundtable and have been recognized by National Environmental Week in their online newsletter at www.eeweek.org.