How much does the youth of today really know about the value of water? Most of the youth that live in developed countries are used to turning on a tap whenever they want water to drink, bathe, play, or for whatever else they need it; it is just there.
How many of them realise just how precious water is though, and how many know of the forthcoming water shortages that have been forecast? How many know of the ravages of drought, of how children their age are dying in undeveloped countries due to the lack of potable drinking water and access to hygienic sanitation? Do they ever think about it?
Educating our Youth about the Value of Water
If I were to postulate, thinking back to when I was a youngster, I would say that the importance of water and the conservation of it would not even feature for most youths.
Fortunately there are those who are doing something about this, in an effort to educate at least some of the youth as to the value of water.
On Saturday, Sept. 26th, the Water Environment Federation (WEF) will host an event called “The Pershing Cultivation Project: Growing Green Gardens and Young Minds†at the Pershing East Magnet School in Chicago’s Bronzeville neighbourhood in an effort to help cultivate community engagement and educate Chicago youth about the value of water.
The Water Environment Federation (WEF) is a not-for-profit technical and educational organisation of 36,000 individual members and 75 affiliated Member Associations representing water quality professionals around the world. Since 1928, WEF and its members have protected public health and the environment. As a global water sector leader, WEF’s mission is to connect water professionals; enrich the expertise of water professionals; increase the awareness of the impact and value of water; and provide a platform for water sector innovation.
Conference and community volunteers will be transforming a section of the school grounds into a learning garden during the event. This garden will act as an interactive learning tool for the school’s K-8 students, where they can learn about water, the environment, and green infrastructure. Features will include a large traditional garden filled with native prairie grasses and flowers, a permeable path and rain garden to capture and store storm-water runoff; and an outdoor classroom and corresponding lesson plans.
The third annual Water Palooza educational fair will kick off the project on Friday, Sept. 25th, during which students, parents and teachers will enjoy a fun day of hands-on environmental activities provided by roughly 20 water companies, governmental agencies, and non-profit organisations.
Hopefully this type of event will become more popular globally, then our youth too will know the value of water and why we need to conserve it.
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