It brings key partners in the greater Dayton community together to promote, preserve and protect the Great Miami River watershed. Students, faculty and staff work with community members, stakeholders and local organizations to promote learning, protect natural resources and foster undergraduate research.
Students in the Rivers Institute are known as River Stewards.
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Empowering You: Environment, Water, Rivers and You
League of Women Voters of the Greater Dayton Area and David Bodary
Host David Bodary talks about "Environment, Water, Rivers and You" with guest Leslie King, director of the Rivers Institute at the University of Dayton Fitz Center for Leadership in Community and University of Dayton junior Tessa O'Halloran, a River Steward.
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2022 Children's Water Festival Presentation: How You Get Your Water
University of Dayton
Presentation was given for the 2022 Children's Water Festival (held virtually).
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Into the River
University of Dayton. River Stewards
This picture book, written by the 2020 cohort of River Stewards for the third-grade reading level, takes readers on a colorful adventure through the Great Miami River.
The writing process began in the fall of 2019 with events with area watershed leaders, educators and children. After children wrote and drew their favorite memories from the river, the River Stewards employed the children’s words and pictures to help articulate the landmarks, lessons and literary elements in the book.
In the spring of 2020, the River Stewards wrote, illustrated and designed the book — a story that incorporates local landmarks, fundamental watershed education, and native species. With the support of several grants, they had the book printed for RiverMobile education programs and for circulation in local libraries and schools.
The digital version is available here free for download. The River Stewards also made a variety of STEM and art activities available:
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Into the River Activity: Beaver Craft
University of Dayton. Rivers Institute
Elementary-age craft using cardboard tube and construction paper.
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Into the River Activity: Eagle Craft
University of Dayton. Rivers Institute
Elementary-age craft using cardboard tube and construction paper.
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Into the River Activity: Magnetic Fishing Game
University of Dayton. Rivers Institute
Do-it-yourself game using paper, paper clips, string, magnets and craft sticks.
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Into the River Activity: Outdoor Observation Tool
University of Dayton. Rivers Institute
Tool for becoming observant of items in the physical and natural environment.
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Into the River Activity: Word Search
University of Dayton. Rivers Institute
Word search with river-related terms.
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Highlights from 2018 River Stewards Orientation
University of Dayton
Highlights from orientation for 2018 River Stewards cohort.
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River Stewards Informational Brochure
University of Dayton. Fitz Center for Leadership in Community
The River Stewards Program is a threeyear, interdisciplinary program designed to engage undergraduate students in experiential and community-engaged learning centered around the Great Miami River Watershed. Each student gains practical experience and leadership skills while working closely with faculty, staff, and community partners to help protect, promote, and preserve the region's rivers and water resources. The River Stewards Program consists of three cohorts totaling around 50 undergraduate students. Together, they represent over 25 different majors from all academic units at the University of Dayton.
First-year students can apply to become River Stewards during their second semester. Applications for the next cohort of Stewards are reviewed by a committee composed of Rivers Institute members. Around 15 students will be selected and introduced in late spring.
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Rivers Institute Strategic Plan
University of Dayton. Fitz Center for Leadership in Community
Due to continued campus and community support, exceptional student leadership and the power of building a community around rivers, the Rivers Institute embarked on a new strategic planning process during the 2014-15 academic year with more than 30 participants. The result was a new vision, mission and long-term plan to 2020, which identified three main goals and many initiatives to help achieve each.
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We Are the River Stewards, and This Is Our Story
University of Dayton
Video shares the history of the Rivers Institute.
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Rivers Institute History
University of Dayton. Fitz Center for Leadership in Community
The Rivers Institute at the University of Dayton began as an initiative of students, faculty and staff challenged by the concept of engaging the University of Dayton with the Great Miami River which runs through the city and the campus. The University, a major Catholic institution, has a legacy of connecting with the surrounding community dating back to the disastrous flood of the Great Miami River in 1913 and has received recent recognition for its extraordinary contribution to the Dayton area from the Saviors of Our Cities ranking in 2006 and 2009.
