Department of Conservation
Bureau of Parks and Lands
Maine Forest Service
Maine Geological Survey and Natural Areas Program
Land Use Regulation Commission
CONTACT:
Kevin Doran 207-287-4988
Marianne DuBois 207-287-2115
MEDIA ADVISORY:
9th Annual Southern Maine's Water Festival
Date: Friday, May 21
Location: University of Southern Maine's Gorham Campus 9:15
a.m. Ð2:20 p.m.
(Augusta)-- More than 800 fifth and sixth grade students
and teachers from thirteen area schools will descend on USM'S
Gorham Campus this Friday to learn about clean water, ecosystems
and our precious Maine water resources. This year's event
will include a special visit from Maine's First Lady Karen
Baldacci who will greet students while observing learning
activities across campus. Water education is the focus and
the emphasis is on learning and fun. The day's schedule is
packed with presentations and hands-on exhibits staffed by
experts from public and private organizations, governmental
agencies, and businesses teaching about water use, water as
habitat for animals, forests, ecosystems, and how to protect
water quality. Activities range from donning hazardous materials
suits in the Suits Me! exhibit, to Getting Buggy! with a host
of insects that give clues to water quality. Students will
discover how trees affect water quality in Every Tree For
Itself! while learning conservation strategies in Every Drop
Counts! The 9th Annual Children's Water Festival is organized
by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection and other
state agencies and non-profit organizations.
Elementary and/or middle schools from the following Southern
Maine towns will be attending: Arundel, Auburn, Baldwin, Casco,
Cumberland, Monmouth, Peaks Island, Portland, Sanford, Sebago,
Southport, and Yarmouth. Students from Gorham High School
and Bonny Eagle High School will be volunteering at the Festival.
NOTE: The press is encouraged to visit the festival and
experience the activities and exhibits that help students
and teachers to learn more about clean water, our Maine resource!
Bailey Hall is where the Quiz Shows and most of the classroom
activities will take place. Vermont musician and songwriter
Jon Gailmor will perform in Russell Hall. The exhibit hall
(in Hill Gym) is open from 9:15 AM to 2:20 PM and features
hands-on activities and exhibits.
PRESS PACKETS are available at the Hill Gym or contact
Marianne DuBois at 287-2115. For more information on the 2004
Southern Maine Children's Water Festival, check our web site
under Education and Outreach at www.state.me.us/dep/blwq/docteacher/cwf/index.htm
Major Sponsors of the Southern Maine Children's Water Festival
include: Maine Department of Environmental Protection, Maine
Department of Conservation, Portland Water District, Poland
Spring Bottling Company, National Semiconductor, Cumberland
County SWCD, Casco Bay Estuary Project, the University of
Southern Maine, Maine Audubon, U. S. EPA New England, Sappi/S.D.
Warren, Maine Coastal Program, Maine DHS Drinking Water Program,
and J. Weston Walch Publishers.
Other sponsors include: LaMotte Company, the Whole Grocer,
E.J. Prescott, S.D. Warren, Lee Dodge, Commercial Paving Company,
Warren Water District, Biddeford and Saco Water District,
Aqua Maine, Hannaford, Mister Bagel, and Oakhurst Dairy, and
the Maine Department of Education.
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