TWO SCHOOLS SELECTED FOR HANDS-ON WATER EDUCATION PROGRAM

Watershed Management Group (WMG) has chosen two Tucson schools to pilot its new School Yard Water Education Program.  The program was developed to teach water conservation to Tucson’s next generation. Through a competitive selection process, WMG has selected Rivera Elementary School and Miles Exploratory Learning Center.

WMG chose the two schools for their diverse student bodies, high level of parent interaction, and enthusiasm for conservation work.  Rivera Elementary in southern Tucson has a majority of Hispanic students and Miles Exploratory Learning Center in central Tucson has the highest population of hearing impaired students.

Through hands-on education, students will learn basic water conservation techniques as they help to improve their school grounds. Students will participate in activities that teach concepts of outdoor water conservation such as rainwater harvesting, through the capture of rainwater in sunken earth basins and cisterns.  The water harvesting activities will also enhance school yards through the development of native and vegetable gardens. Lisa Shipek, WMG’s Executive Director explained, “Several programs in Tucson focus on water education, and we can build on these efforts by implementing hands-on activities where students and teachers work together on school yard projects that can serve as community examples. Our hope is that they complete the project with the desire and skills to take these techniques back to their homes.”

The School Yard Water Education Program is part of the larger Greening Urban Watersheds Program that helps local residents improve their neighborhoods through a variety of conservation-oriented workshops.