Watershed Talks - February 2026 - School of the Wild
Register in advance for this meeting:
https://us02web.zoom.us/
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
Join us on Tuesday, February 17 at 7:00 PM CT for an engaging Watershed Talks Zoom presentation exploring how outdoor education helps build lifelong watershed stewards. This session will highlight how place-based, hands-on learning connects students to land, water, and community — turning local landscapes into living classrooms.
Our guest speaker, Jay Gorsh, is the Director of the University of Iowa’s School of the Wild, where he has spent the past decade helping schools take learning beyond classroom walls. A former public-school teacher and current instructor of outdoor education at the University of Iowa, Jay brings practical experience and a passion for the outdoors to his work.
During the presentation, Jay will share how School of the Wild partners with teachers and students to use parks, schoolyards, and watersheds as outdoor classrooms—building curiosity, confidence, and stewardship through real-world learning. He’ll explain how the Iowa Division’s $20K donation directly benefited students. Jay will also touch on what’s new for 2026, including expanded professional development for teachers and an international collaboration in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, focused on creative approaches to outdoor education.
Whether you’re an educator, conservationist, parent, or community member, this Zoom Watershed Talks session will offer insight and inspiration on how outdoor learning strengthens both students and the watersheds we depend on.