KEA is the Lake Coeur d’Alene WATERKEEPER® and a
proud member of the WATERKEEPER® Alliance with more than 300
local WATERKEEPER® groups protecting water on six continents.
Water Focused Education for Schools
The Confluence Project and Youth Water Summit
The Confluence Project (TCP) is a yearlong program pairing scientific experts with high schools
across North Idaho. Partners from University of Idaho, the Coeur d’Alene Tribe, Kootenai
Environmental Alliance, Idaho Department of Environmental Quality and IdaH2O team up to
promote hands-on experience, field data collection in the natural sciences using a curriculum
designed by University of Idaho.
Throughout the school year, TCP teachers introduce water resource issues in the classroom and
guide their students in a comprehensive research project. During multiple field excursions,
students collect and analyze local water resource data. In the spring, they develop a driving
question related to a real-world water resource issue, thoroughly research, collect data and
propose a relevant solution.
The project culminates in the Youth Water Summit where students present their research
projects. More than 100 volunteer judges from the scientific community contribute to the
success and growth of this event. The Youth Water Summit encourages students to dig deeper
into local water issues while providing an opportunity to experience a professional scientific
conference.
Fernan Elementary School WATERKEEPER®
Focus is to teach students What is a Watershed? How do I protect mine?
Cohort of Kindergarten and First Graders do a 3-station practicum with Watershed model,
Water Monitoring Station and Plant ID/Riparian Zone Station.
Sorensen Magnet School Field Trips
Students in 3rd and 4th grades learn about point-source pollution, non-point source, riparian
zones, city well monitoring and nutrient loading along the Spokane River from Independence
Point to the seawall at the UofI Harbor Center.
Water Festival
An annual 2-day celebration of water in McEuen Park, with guest speakers, vendor and
educational booths, water models, nature hikes and more. The entire 5 th Grade cohort is invited,
including the Lakeland District, Post Falls and CDA. All who attend learn about water issues and
how to protect the watershed. Summer educational camp in 2 days!
Water Focused Education for the Public
Lake Coeur d’Alene WATERKEEPER®
The Lake Coeur d’Alene WATERKEEPER® program is an on-the-water advocate working to ensure
that the Lake is swimmable, fishable and drinkable. As the Lake CDA WATERKEEPER®, we work to
protect against threats to the public’s water resources in the Coeur d’Alene Lake watershed
through enforcement, community action, education, restoration, and advocacy. The Pollution
Hotline is a component in reporting polluters and increasing healthy water quality awareness to
the public. The WATERKEEPER® also oversees many of the educational programs offered by KEA.
Wild and Scenic Film Festival
An annual film festival featuring Inspirational films about environmental issues. KEA works with
NIC Environmental students to choose films pertinent to North Idaho issues. This is a major fund
raising event for KEA – held in early Spring and way too cool to miss. The 2022 WSFF will be held
on March 22, the 59 th Anniversary of the Clean Water Act!
Earth Day
In collaboration with Coeur d’Alene Library, events are planned in McEuen Park that include:
Nature Hikes on Tubbs Hill, watershed model demonstrations, booths supported by
Environmental Educational Partners, story times, speakers and guided hikes at
various locations
around the lake.
Talk-oh! Tuesdays
A speakers series featuring 7-minute presentations by experts on water quality topics, held
around Lake CDA at City/County/BLM locations. The Taco Truck is present and attendees are
encouraged to engage in an active Q&A after the presentation. 60-second surveys are
conducted at each event with 3 specific questions, and opportunities to sign up for volunteering
with KEA are provided. We seek to capture interest, names and contact information, and create
volunteers for all KEA programs.
KEA Boat Tours
A component of the WATERKEEPER® program, KEA conducts regular boat tours that point out
various pollution sources, riparian zone infractions and strengths, land use issues that affect the
lake, and effects of nutrient loading in bays along the lake (excessive plant growth).
Citizen Science
KEA has a long and strong history of encouraging citizens to participate in water monitoring
opportunities and active engagement in protection, restoration and conservation around the
lake. KEA works with UofI water monitoring programs and other associations to bring awareness
to citizen advocacy and science. Lake shore cleanups are part of KEAs citizen science
programming.