COMMITMENT TO WATER EDUCATION

World Water Day is March 22nd and the Saskatchewan government is renewing its commitment to Project WET so that teachers and students continue to have access to a valuable learning resource. Water education is a part of the government's Safe Drinking Water Strategy.

Project WET (Water Education for Teachers) is an international water education program for teachers in the Kindergarten to Grade 12 education system. The program facilitates and promotes awareness, appreciation, knowledge, and stewardship of water resources. It includes more than 90 classroom-ready, innovative, hands-on, learning activities for use in the classroom or in outdoor education. Project WET is recommended for use with Saskatchewan's core curriculum.

First introduced in Saskatchewan in 1996, Project WET is a partnership of the Saskatchewan Watershed Authority, Saskatchewan Learning and the Canadian Water Resources Association. The Watershed Authority provides staff support and coordination. To date, about 800 educators have been trained.

"Over the last few months alone, more than 100 education students at the University of Regina took Project WET training," explained Buckley Belanger, minister responsible for the Saskatchewan Watershed Authority. "As these young teachers begin their careers, they have a valuable teaching resource so that our students can learn the importance of protecting and conserving our water."

"The Project WET Activity Guide is a valuable learning resource for Saskatchewan's core curriculum," says Learning Minister Judy Junor. "This year's World Water Day theme, 'water for the future' emphasizes the importance of students' learning about water issues."

The United Nations designated March 22nd of each year World Water Day to promote the importance of conserving and protecting the world's water resources. The UN has also designated 2003 as International Year of Freshwater. Project WET encourages a personal, lifelong commitment to responsible water stewardship.

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For More Information, Contact:

Malcolm French Saskatchewan Watershed Authority Moose Jaw Phone: (306)694-3017 Email: malcolm.french@swa.ca Cell: (306) 535-3836

Malcolm Conly Canadian Water Resources Association Saskatoon Phone: (306)975-4833 Email: malcolm.conly@ec.gc.ca Cell: (306) 222-8659