Students use river to connect to region

About 45 University of Dayton undergraduates participated in the Rivers Stewards program August 18 and 19. The program, a partnership between U.D.'s Rivers Institute, Five Rivers Metro Parks and the Miami Conservancy District, is designed to study the area's rivers and our connection them.

For many it was not only the first time in a canoe, but also the first time many of them have been off U.D.'s campus to experience the natural beauty of the Miami Valley.

Leslie King of the Rivers Institute at the University of Dayton lead the floating field trip.

"Were hoping that these students feel comfortable leaving campus, getting on the river coming into Dayton, interacting with the larger community in a really safe and positive manner," King explained.

The program is a three year civic initiative for undergraduate students using the river as a tool to immerse them into our community.

A total of 45 students and 10 adults spent two days boating down the Great Miami River learning about the history and function of the river's elaborate dams and levies, as well as studying the rivers health.

The students are encouraged to open their minds to scenic rivers and suburban areas to appreciate what makes the Miami Valley a great place to live, and hopefully a great place to live after graduation.

And that's a connection that U.D. Senior Maggie Varga said she's made.

"I think I've made a great connection with Dayton," she said. "Being here has gotten me off campus, made me see Dayton as a river city and made Dayton kind of my city by being a part of this."