Monitoring Columbia River's Water Quality

An aerial view of the Columbia River watershed.

Many of us have had to admit, since the beginning of this year, that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been gutted of its mission by a deliberately negligent leader. As that has become more apparent, our environmental concerns have been placed more in the hands of nonprofit organizations, to maintain the rehabbing of our major rivers, among the various neglected aspects of the EPA.

One organization that guards a body of water moving through several States is COLUMBIA RIVERKEEPER, whose responsibility is the cleanliness and preservation of the Columbia River. Part of a national Waterkeeper Alliance, led by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., it was formed from a merger between Columbia River United and Clean Water Columbia. Its responsibility is the entire Columbia River, from its head until it drains into the Pacific Ocean, along with all of its living environs.



One of the functions of the organization is training more than 150 volunteers to monitor the Columbia's water quality at approximately 100 sites along the river. In their quest to maintain the river water's integrity, there were several water pollution threats detected, including toxic substances detected in sturgeons and water temperatures that were outside of standards set by the State and that affect salmon migration.

Since 2006, volunteers have monitored an increasing number of sites for conductivity, pH, water clarity, dissolved oxygen level, temperature, and e. coli level. In 2007-2008, volunteers monitored eight of the sites near Wenatchee for aquatic insects. By monitoring these sites regularly, Riverkeeper is able to respond quickly to changes that indicate a toxic inflow and can pinpoint the problem, so it can be fixed.

A trained volunteer monitors water quality at a designated site.

For example, in 2008 volunteers at the Indian Creek site detected an increase in e. coli, which was found to be coming from a damaged sewer pipe, that enabled the damage to be fixed. Throughout their time monitoring the river, volunteers have found that the mainstream temperature of 68 degrees in the summer exceeds the State standard. That temperature causes young steelhead and salmon to be restricted in size, more subject to disease, and more vulnerable to predators. Continued monitoring has also helped volunteers to identify some cool-water tributaries that could be restored into alternative sites more suitable to these younger fish.

By monitoring the river, volunteers discovered the water temperature too warm to sustain healthy steelheads and salmon.

In order to provide accurate monitoring, volunteers receive training from Columbia Riverkeeper and the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality. (DEQ). That helps maintain scientific accuracy and also performs a service for DEQ, allowing them to have data and report to their citizens the state of the river.

Thanks for information from this Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pg/ColumbiaRiverkeeper/about/?ref=page_internal; this page on Columbia Riverkeeper: http://columbiariverkeeper.org/about-us/our-story/; this page on Columbia Riverkeeper: http://columbiariverkeeper.org/water-quality/water-quality-monitoring/; and the above link.

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A Talented Student From Annapolis High

Two student aides talk about a project with Principal Donald Lilley, left.

Let's check out one of the Maryland public high schools, ANNAPOLIS HIGH SCHOOL, to be exact, located in the State Capital. Interestingly, this high school has been in operation since 1896, one of the first in the entire State. Since that time, it has grown to accommodate 2,047 students. Among its programs is an International Baccalaureate Diploma Program, with a broad curriculum designed to prepare its students for university studies. In addition, there is a Performance and Visual Arts Programme for students with artistic skills and talent.

One of the students in the International Baccalaureate program is Mohamed Moneib, a senior. Because Mohamed was missing one of the usual four growth plates in his knee, his parents decided to give up their successful lives in Egypt and immigrate to the US when he was 5 years old. He endured four major and six minor surgeries to correct this defect.



In the summer of 2016, Mohamed volunteered with the same hospital's physical therapy department. He explained, "It was a pleasure to work with kids with similar disabilities." His now-corrected bone structure was thought to be "a pretty rare condition".

As a member of the National Honor Society since his sophomore year, Mohamed spends part of his Panther Hours (a lunch period split with study hall or club work) as a tutor with the math, science, and language departments. Just to show his capabilities in just one subject area, it can be noted that this talented youth is fluent in three languages - English, Arabic, and French.

Martin Noga, Mohamed's French teacher, said, "Mohamed is a remarkable human being and one of the few students I am always proud to call a true leader. He has an infectious personality that easily attracts people towards him. I can summarize Mohamed's personality as a true steward who always does things with humility, generosity of spirit and complete integrity."

Mohamed Moneib in front of the high school.

Both of Mohamed's parents have become naturalized citizens. His father is an insurance agent and his mother is an Arab language tutor. I bet they're both very proud of their son, too. Mohamed represents the caliber of student that we are all happy to have in the State of Maryland!

The National Honor Society Induction Ceremony.

Thanks for information from this page on Annapolis High: http://www.annapolishighschool.org/pdf/2017-18_Profile_AHS.pdf; this article by Wendi Winters in Capital Gazette: http://www.capitalgazette.com/neighborhoods/ac-cm-tow-mohamed-moneib-ahs-ib-20171125-story.html; and the above links.

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Mixing Urban With Traditional Dance

Batalo East participants at Bayimba International Festival of the Arts

As people around the world become more connected through the internet and smartphones, there is concern among local groups that aspects of their culture may become lost. Then, as those who remember their culture become older and die, those traditions won't be passed on to the younger generation, losing the unique cultural qualities of these local groups.

In order to get Kampala youth interested in traditional dance, Abdul Kinyenya enlisted the help of Breakdance Project Uganda and Tabu Flo Dance to combine modern urban dance with traditional dance. The concept of integrating both forms of dance came together in BATALO EAST, an organization which has been spreading this Afro-fusion dance within Uganda and internationally.



Mr. Kinyenya promoted the organization's work this way, "Batalo East is driving positive social change. In an open, constructive, and encouraging environment, we are speaking to young people who are growing up in a globalized world where there traditional roots are increasingly eroded."

The urban educational system was also contributing to the erosion of cultural traditions through lack of exposure. There was no integration of cultural traditions and arts into the educational curriculum, thus losing the learning opportunities presented in the educational system. This is where Batalo East really stepped in, utilizing the expertise of the professionals involved in its formation. Through various activities, such as dance jams, workshops, outreach, advocacy, collaboration, and a dance festival, this organization has been engaging youth and filling the gap in their education.

Back in October the monthly dance workshop was devoted to Nelayo traditional dance, which comes from eastern Uganda. Attendees got a chance to learn and apply the dance techniques presented into the urban dance styles with which many were familiar. By the way, these monthly dance workshops are open not just to dancers, but to interested members of the public.

Some of the youth who participate in the activities of Batalo East.

The Jams are offered on the last Saturday of the month in a studio space above the National Theatre. As with most of the sessions offered by Batalo East, Jams utilize one traditional dance tradition techniques and applies them into hip hop dance. Within the session, participants view clips of the traditional dance and discuss how these moves can be incorporated into urban dance with a professional dancer. Then in the jam portion, participants can experiment individually or in groups with the combination of traditional and urban dance forms. No particular skill level is touted, just a good attitude, comfortable clothing, and water to remain hydrated.

Thanks for information from this article on Pollination Project: https://thepollinationproject.org/grants-awarded/abdul-kinyenya-batalo-east/; this post on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bataloeast/posts/1529486497159471; this post on Batalo East:  http://www.bataloeast.org/project/the-equation-jams/; and the above link.

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