Water Ways

Outdoor Education for Urban and Rural Youth
Recently it has become apparent that fewer children have a connection with the natural world including the nation’s water resources. Many are growing up in cities where they are disconnected from green space and primarily experience an indoor environment due to such factors such as the prevalence of crime, and a general lack of interest in the world they have not yet come to know.

As future decision makers, it is vital to re-establish a connection between youth, the environment, and our water supply. The Water Ways program will provide this opportunity and develop in youth an understanding of the role of water in their lives. As they experience and learn, youth will become more aware of the importance of groundwater and how groundwater and related natural resources need their appreciation and protection.

Objectives
Water Ways will communicate the important role that water plays in nourishing our lives by:

• Providing youth the opportunity to experience a day on a farm, ranch, park, or other location that will incorporate inquiry-based, student-driven, hands-on water education activities
• Educating both urban and rural youth on wise land-use practices, water conservation, and appreciation for the environment
• Connecting youth to water through humanities like storytelling, language, history, culture, and the arts

The Water Ways project has three main components:

1. Water Activities – Develop experienced based activities designed to educate youth about various land-use practices that impact water. The curricula will include a wide variety of student lead hands-on activities that will cover a variety of water conservation and awareness topics.
2. Events (Day Camps/After School Programs) – A tour for youth that will allow students to experience the importance of good water and land-use practices first hand as well as participate in a variety of hands-on activities that demonstrate the importance of good stewardship in both rural and urban settings.
3. Archive – A compilation of a wide variety of stories and poems written by those who grew up understanding the importance of water. First-hand accounts of these experiences will help today’s youth understand the importance of the resource in their daily lives. This compilation of stories, poems, and farm images will be posted on the this website (fall 2008).

Child-Nature Connection
This project is inspired by Richard Louv and the growing movement to fight against "nature deficit disorder." Learn more.

For more information about the Water Ways project contact The Groundwater Foundation by calling 1-800-858-4844 or email info@groundwater.org. 

 

Schedule of Events

August 21, 2007
Pilot water discovery toys and scientific inquiry activity - Lincoln, NE

September 29. 2007
Pilot water cycle story telling activity- Lincoln, NE

October 6, 2007
"Growing with Groundwater" - open house at Gifford Farm, Bellevue, NE

April 4, 2008
Family Nature Night at Randolph Elementary School, Lincoln, NE

April 20, 2008
Fontenelle Forest Nature Day, Omaha, NE

June 9-13, 2008
Day Camp, "Outdoor Adventures in H2O - Water!" - Lincoln, NE

June 26, 2008
Day Camp, "Adventure Camp" - Bellevue, NE

Additional events to be scheduled in 2008.

 

This project is funded by Valmont Industries, Inc., The Nebraska Humanities Council, Rogers Foundation, and Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc.

Water Ways Project Partners
Bright Lights Summer Enrichment
Bureau of Reclamation - Nebraska/Kansas Office
Gifford Farm Education Service Unit #3
Healthy Families Play Outside
Kids Are For Keeps
Lincoln Public Schools
National Arbor Day Foundation
Nebraska Farm Bureau
Nebraska Humanities Council
Natural Resources Conservation Service
Nebraska Game and Parks
Nebraska Public Power District
Nebraska Resource Conservation and Development
Rogers Foundation
Spring Creek Prairie Audubon Center
University of Nebraska - Environmental Studies
University of Nebraska - Extension
Valmont Industries, Inc