New Tech Students on the Future of the Big Sioux

“Let Nature be your teacher.” –William WordsworthThinking back to my school girl years, I remember being taught the struggles that seemed so far beyond me: war, global warming, algebra.  However, Melissa Hittner, a teacher at New Tech High School, is prompting her students to think locally—not just globally.  During the precious last days of school, Hittner’s students spent their time confronting the challenges facing the Big Sioux River, a home front struggle mere miles from NTHS.Students examined the importance of water quality and the different elements that contribute to a health river. Madyson Hutchinson, one of Hittner’s students, enthusiastically described all she learned, stating, “We learned about fecal coliform bacteria, the importance of oxygen levels in the water, nitrogen, what levels are safe for recreational use, what levels are safe for using for drinking water, and what levels are safe for the ecosystem. We were given data from the East Dakota Water Development District, and we made graphs on the different data columns, specifically E. Coli, pH levels, Total Suspended Solids, and the levels of Dissolved Oxygen. We then wrote an executive summary on whether or not we thought the Big Sioux River was actually one of the dirtiest rivers in the nation.” To Hutchinson, it became clear that the river needs help and, without change, could “possibly be even more harmful to human life.” When confronted with the state of the river, Mitchell Bump said it taught him “that even in your home town there are bigger issues.”After learning about the condition of the Big Sioux, these bright, young minds were put to the task of coming up with a way to improve their river. Students took the project to heart, integrating their own hobbies and passions into the final products. The projects reflected an investment in the river that went beyond the classroom and demonstrated a strong attachment between Sioux Falls youth and the Big Sioux River.Healthy HuntingHutchinson, a sportswoman, appreciates the Big Sioux River for its hunting and fishing opportunities. She celebrates the “vast and diverse” wildlife offered by South Dakota. “I love this state and its beauty,” she says, but she worries that “it is taken for granted.” In response, Hutchinson is turning to hunters to take responsibility for the river. She draws a connection between the health of the river and the animals she and other hunters rely on. She points out, “the river has a major impact on the surrounding life of the river as well. The animals that we hunt, such as the deer, the ducks, the pheasants, coyotes, squirrels, and many more, use the river and the surrounding water as their water source. It is highly important for [these] systems to stay in balance so that the wildlife [is] healthy.” Healthy wildlife means more and better game for the 54% of South Dakotans who actively participate in wildlife-associated recreation. By involving hunters, Hutchinson astutely taps into an industry that involves over half of South Dakota’s residents and an industry with a $66 billion overall economic impact. While Hutchinson asks very little of this group, the results could have a very big impact. She asks hunters to “pick up their shells, use steel shot or slugs, try to find their kill as soon as possible, and picking up any trash that they find. This ensures that nothing gets into the water systems and poisons anything, and it also makes sure that no harmful bacteria gets into the water…In doing this, a hunter can solidify his or her relationship with not only the river, but the entire riparian system.”Rock Out on the RiverBradley Lawrence and Brendon Chase believe music is the key to bringing people together in the name of a healthier Big Sioux. Lawrence movingly explains the connection between the river and music: “they are both everyone’s possession.” Like music, he says, “the river is also the community’s possession and responsibility. A music festival would bring people together and raise awareness about the problems of the river.” The festival would include live performances, magic shows, and games. In addition to the entertainment component, participants would also engage in stewardship activities, such as trash clean-up and tree planting. The festival would be great for combatting urban nonpoint source pollution and raise awareness about the state of the river. Lawrence feels a river festival would “draw people who don’t normally care about the river to the river.” The project brilliantly motivates people with the fun of a festival while integrating educational elements. Yet Lawrence demonstrates an understanding of the financial realities of putting together an expensive community event. When asked how he would pay for such an event, he says he would rely on fundraisers and/or private donations for funding.Doorway to a Clean RiverWhen it comes to the challenges facing the Big Sioux, Joshua Simpson feels “ignorance is probably the bigger problem.” Many of the students in Hittner’s class expressed a lack of knowledge about water systems and the Big Sioux before becoming involved in the class. Once they had the information, they were excited to get involved. Simpson imagines there will be similar reaction if an educational campaign is implemented in the City of Sioux Falls. Simpson’s project involves creating doorhangers, much like the “Do Not Disturb” signs used at hotels, to advertise information about the state of the river or upcoming river events.  The doorhanger can also be adapted to become a basic flyer, which can be mailed to the area’s apartment complexes or rural dwellers. He stresses the importance of getting information into people’s hands so they can make informed decisions and be aware of opportunities to get involved. The main goal of the project is to get people thinking about their water and the role it plays in their community. An example of Simpson’s proposed project can be found on our website.Our River, Our FutureThese projects represent more than a letter grade; they demonstrate the insight and commitment of a demographic often overlooked. South Dakota will only be as successful as the next generation looking to take over homeownership, businesses, and government. These voices are already calling for a change, asking the City to consider how a polluted river reflects on the youth emerging from Sioux Falls. Bump, in expressing why he cared about his project beyond a good grade, says “the Big Sioux River being full of trash makes Sioux Falls look like trash. So I need to help and make my city seem less trashy.” Simpson echoes his classmate’s assertion, saying “the [C]ity is named after the falls so it would be rather c[r]azy to not take care of them.” These young minds expressed hope for their river, hope that they would be able swim in it one day or hope for a future generation to know clean water. Lawrence reminds his audience of Dr. Seuss’s The Lorax: “Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.” While the Lorax speaks for the trees, Lawrence feels it’s his generation’s responsibility to speak for the river.These students are showing us that the youth of South Dakota care about their river and desire a brighter future for it. Shouldn’t we give them a helping hand? Note: Students pictured include: back row - Zac Dial, Brad Lawrence, Mitchell Bump, Brendan Chase, Josh Simpson, Skyler Cram; front row - Anthony Doty, Mady Hutchinson, Ethan Dunn