“Project WET’s mission is to reach children, parents, teachers and community members of the world with water education that promotes awareness of water and empowers community action to solve complex water issues.”

Time spent on a North Dakota family farm made young Dennis Nelson acutely aware of water’s importance. His grandma’s farm was perched at the edge of an ancient glacier. Water was so scarce and the quality so poor in the loose mix of soil, rock, and glacial debris on the farm that on many occasions the family had to haul fresh water from the town a few miles down the road for drinking water. Desperate for fresh water nearby, Dennis’ family hired the local dowser to locate a better source of underground water; however, his willow branch was never successful and water struggles continued.

The water problems confused Dennis because the North Dakota farmland where his grandmother lived had dozens of wetlands, giving the appearance of abundant water. Just a few miles away, Dennis’ parents’ farm had plenty of groundwater to meet their water needs. Even so, the frigid North Dakota winters meant all things involving water were a struggle, no matter how bountiful the water—and not to mention hail in the summer and blizzards in the winter.

Fighting to keep the water from freezing, watching dowsers water-witching, observing crops thrive or die, and early career opportunities combined to plant the seeds that would one day culminate in the Project WET Foundation, a global organization now headquartered in Bozeman which provides water education to people of all ages and cultures.

TAKING THE MESSAGE TO THE PEOPLE

As a young graduate in his first career position, Nelson was employed by the East Dakota Water Management District in Brookings, South Dakota as the Water Education Program Coordinator and Technical Assistant. He faced a daunting task. A troubling number of people using water from the Big Sioux aquifer in eastern South Dakota were experiencing health issues. The number of people with cancer became sufficiently high enough to motivate a cancer study. Researchers determined some land-use activities were negatively impacting ground water quality in the river basin, which could be tied to the cancer cluster in the river basin. In addition, excessive nitrate levels within the water had spawned higher-than-normal cases of Methaemoglobinemia, a condition sometimes called “blue baby disease” because it decreases the ability of blood to carry oxygen throughout the body.

Nelson became the designated messenger. His difficult assignment was to explain to rural farmers, ranchers, and other community members the possible correlation between the increase in cancer cases and their personal actions, including the location of wells near sources of contamination, common agricultural practices, and a general misunderstanding of groundwater. He did this by breaking the science of hydrology (water) into bite size chunks, eliminating intimidating terminology and making the topic relevant.

He developed an educational program that conveyed the relationship between the quality of water in the Big Sioux Aquifer—the sole source of water in the area—to feedlots’ use and management of fertilizers and pesticides and improper chemical storage. The hard part to convey was that most of the contamination was not caused by some distant person or entity but inadvertently by the past and present activities of individual farmers and ranchers or local community members.

After working on that project, Nelson was next hired by the North Dakota Water Commission. The state engineer was explicit. He wanted “an education program, not a PR program” to teach people about the state’s water resources and the complexity of managing water for the state’s citizens. Through awareness and education, Nelson was also asked to tackle complex topics and challenges such as wetlands and drainage, groundwater availability and use, flooding, drought and a host of other water topics.

The challenge of distilling the science into a format that could not only be understood, but embraced and shared, required a new formula and original methods. Boring lectures were banned, and “whole body, hands-on, get-out-of-your-chair-and-move” immersion activities were created to captivate audiences and to stimulate inquiry-based learning. The methods and activities that Nelson and colleagues developed in North Dakota would later become central to Project WET. His experiences there forged and tempered its fundamental doctrines.

While developing wetland education materials for the North Dakota Water Commission, Nelson witnessed some fish and wildlife groups vilifying families who were draining the wetlands for crop production. Nelson personally knew many of these families and was sure their intentions were not bad.  Information and education were key ingredients to helping residents understand wetland management and protection. Historically, in many instances, the federal government actually provided incentives to drain the wetlands through taxpayer-funded direct and indirect subsidies.

Because Nelson understood first-hand the emotional toll of having friends and family caricatured as uncaring or anti-environment, he strived to make sure information was presented from multiple perspectives and was objective and science-based. The program sought to teach in a balanced and historically accurate way while linking lessons to new and expanding understanding of wetlands’ values and functions. When standing in front of a classroom of young people, Nelson never wanted to make a child feel bad about the occupation or station of his or her family. Nelson’s style was in contrast to some educational efforts he had seen that condemned certain categories of water users as wasteful or callous to water’s importance.

“WATER FOR ALL WATER USERS”

With those experiences fresh in his mind, Nelson founded Project WET in 1984. He insisted that Project WET be a neutral and objective organization with the aim of educating, not indoctrinating. By establishing a core belief that “water is for all users,” Dennis and the other curriculum designers worked to avoid alienating the teachers that were using the materials, and, by extension, their students.

Project WET activities emphasize that there is water of sufficient quality and quantity for all water users when it’s used and managed properly. Moreover, water users such as energy producers, farmers and ranchers, manufacturers, recreationists, mining companies, rural and urban dwellers, and wildlife create value for everyone. Project WET’s goal is to educate students so they are prepared to make informed decisions about water use, conservation, protection, and sustainability.

Another key component of Project WET is its original approach to teaching science. As Nelson explains it, “Project WET is not a cover band rehashing someone else’s music. When we (staff and external writing team members) write our activities, it’s not a single person sitting at a computer. It’s a messy, high-energy process that involves full participation from staff, invited water and education experts, teachers and students. We are out of our chairs and using our entire being to design activities that will engage students’ hearts, minds, and imaginations.”

The age-appropriate methods energize the students’ curiosity and empower them to take informed action. One example of a favorite educational method for school children is allowing the children to take on the role of water molecules traveling through the water cycle. As they do so, they are also creating a one-of-a-kind bracelet that represents the endless and somewhat chaotic journey of water from glaciers to surface water, oceans to clouds, lakes to animals and beyond. The immersive, hands-on approach creates enduring impressions that students and educators can use throughout their lives.

Project WET developed ActionEducation™ to encourage people to make informed decisions and take relevant personal action based on information and education. On Project WET’s interactive website for children, www.discoverwater.org, numerous activities are suggested on how to take action locally. Initiating school recycling programs, planting school gardens watered by drip irrigation, restoring eroded creek beds, participating in water conservation activities, auditing school/home water use are just a few of the activities that raise water awareness.

Project WET’s programs not only have an immediate impact but are also a long-term investment in our children. As our children become adults who vote, become policy makers, and raise their own children, they are equipped to make educated choices for the environment and they understand how to take action to support those choices.

THINK GLOBALLY, ACT LOCALLY

While people from more than 65 countries use Project WET, students in several classrooms right here in Bozeman recently participated in a pilot program developed by Project WET, Montana Watercourse, and the City of Bozeman. The five lessons of the Water Conservation and Storm Water Management education program focused on Bozeman’s watershed. Scientific activities were specifically designed to help Bozeman’s youth understand the importance of living at the Missouri River headwaters, the significance of living in the cornerstone of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, how their actions affect water quality and quantity, and how they can help protect Bozeman’s watershed.

One 5th grade classroom used the “Sum of Parts” activity to demonstrate how trash and other pollutants left on the ground in one city park can migrate to another park and eventually enter the East Gallatin River, a local recreational area. To reduce pollution and e. coli contamination of the river, students suggested picking up after their pets, throwing away trash and recycling.

Lain Leoniak, the City of Bozeman’s water conservation specialist, explained in a press release that the pilot project “advances the City’s education and outreach goals for our water conservation and storm water programs.”   

Kyle Mehrens, the storm water program coordinator for the City of Bozeman, said in the same press release, “We are fortunate to have such an inspiring, effective, and professional non-profit invested in making their home town community better. The future of Bozeman’s water resources is growing brighter by the day, and we look forward to our partnership with Project WET to ensure our young citizens continue to lead the charge.”

SPREADING THE WATER MESSAGE

As part of a recent project launched with the Minnesota-based multinational hygiene company Ecolab, Project WET has initiated the WaterStar program to recognize students who have participated in the water science activities created for the Clean and Conserve program. (All of the Clean and Conserve materials are free to the public for download.) Educators can utilize WaterStar materials to honor students for their efforts and to encourage them to be environmentally conscious water users. Children can even become a WaterStar at home with their families.

Another educational offering that is free to the public are the eight interactive activities found at www.discoverwater.org. Engaging, fun, colorful, and informative, the game-based website’s topics include the Blue Planet, the Water Cycle, Discover Our Oceans, Investigate Fresh Water, Explore Watersheds, Use Water Wisely, We All Use Water, and Healthy Water. Each topic contains an introduction to the subject, a short video, a “What Did I Learn?” quiz, Take Action suggestions, and a printable Science Notebook.

Project WET’s innovative approach to water education has been recognized with numerous awards: 2008 Universities Council on Water Resources Education and Outreach Award, 2012 U.S. Water Prize, 2013 Global Journal Top 100 NGO, and 2013 Gold Medal of the Independent Publishers Book Awards. Its many K-12 publications are correlated to Common Core English Language Arts Standards, Common Core Math Standards, Next Generation Science Standards and STEM Educational Coalition objectives and have received awards from the Association of Educational Publishers (AEP), National Association for Interpretation, the Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards, and The Nature Company.

Project WET fulfills its mission of worldwide water education by publishing water resource education material, providing training workshops (both online and classroom settings), organizing community water events, supporting Make A Splash festivals, designing online games/activities for kids, writing activity books for children, holding conferences, and building a worldwide network of educators, water resource professionals, water scientists, non-government organizations (NGO), and other experts.

Project WET uses a train-the-trainer model, with Project WET “Coordinators”—individuals who work with public and private organizations (“Host Institutions”) that have partnered with the Project WET Foundation to deliver Project WET training—to a network of thousands of facilitators (master trainers). Those workshop facilitators train educators to use the activities, and those educators then use the curriculum to teach their students. *(“Educators” in this context include not only classroom teachers but also scout troop leaders, nature center interpreters, corporate volunteers, parents—basically anyone who wants to teach others about water.) By using this scalable blueprint, Project WET can exponentially spread water knowledge across the globe through its partner organizations, coordinators, facilitators, and host institutions.

Project WET’s unique approach to water education is based on a grassroots movement, yet it also encompasses a global network. A wide variety of organizations, such as governmental ministries of water and education, NGOs, foundations, utility departments, and corporations, make up the global network. Water education is spread worldwide, but disseminated locally. Host Institutions are committed to advancing water education and inspiring action in their communities. They partner with Project WET to customize curriculum to address local issues. Currently, Host Institutions in more than 65 countries tailor Project WET’s 300 lesson plans and 75 publications to accommodate local customs, educational systems, and water resource topics.

FINDING THE FUNDING

A 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, the Project WET Foundation is funded by the thousands of individuals and organizations who purchase water education materials, as well as by grants and contracts from public and private organizations. 

Three companies currently provide major sponsorship for the Project WET Foundation’s efforts to enlighten the global community about the value of water:

1. Nestlé Waters has supported Project WET for over two decades and has helped launch the program in China, Egypt, and Nigeria, among other places. Over 250,000 students are using Project WET activities in China alone. For World Water Day 2015, Nestlé employees engaged approximately 9,000 children in water education with Project WET’s interactive learning activities. Children in 34 countries learned about watersheds, recycling, water conservation, and healthy hydration.

2. Ecolab is the global leader for water, hygiene and energy technologies that protect people and vital resources. With markets in over 170 countries, the company realizes education and action provide solutions for the world’s water challenges. In St. Paul, Minnesota, Ecolab employees taught 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders about hygiene and water conservation using the customized activity book, The Clean and Conserve Education Program. Anyone is able to download the curriculum at www.projectwet.org/cleanandconserve

3. Levi Strauss & Co. For the past 15 years Levi Strauss & Co. has annually sponsored a global day of service where employees in seventy locations organize and participate in volunteer activities. This year Levi Strauss & Co. partnered with Project WET to develop a pilot program for Community Day. Employees from San Francisco, Shanghai, and Singapore were trained by Project WET staff in water conservation methods. Trained Levi’s “Water Ambassadors” then led water conservation activities on May 7, 2015, Levi’s Community Day.

Project WET CEO Nelson feels it is important to highlight the role that businesses can play in sustainable development.

“The partnerships we have with Nestlé Waters, Ecolab and Levi Strauss & Co. represent the commitment of these companies to support Project WET’s public education efforts around water literacy. Water is an issue that’s going to take public, private and community partnership to make a collective impact.”

WATER EDUCATION AS A SOLUTION

As Project WET’s website so eloquently states:

“Our Earth’s finite but renewable water resources affect the health and well-being of every person on the planet. That means we must protect, conserve and manage the water we have. Water education helps us do that. Water education also empowers us to address the water issues we have now and prepares us to confront future water challenges.”

Clearly, the complexity of providing water to the world’s residents will only escalate as the population climbs and the climate fluctuates. Water affects every aspect of our lives. Our economy, our quality of life, our environment, our peace and security, and life itself, is dependent upon water. There is no substitute. Pro-active planning by officials, conservation efforts by constituents, and innovative inventions are keys to ensuring there is enough water for all users. The public must have accurate information and motivating incentives to prompt them to action.

Water education is the genesis for informed and relevant decision making. Educators from across the globe can use Project WET’s proven teaching methods, meticulous curriculum, and readily available materials to impact water consciousness in their communities. Host Institutions can support educators by providing venues and conferences to aid in the proliferation of information. Project WET’s determination to provide scientific education about water conservation and sustainability enables our global community to choose wisely for the environment and our future. Awareness and education empower people to preserve and protect this vital resource.

GET INVOLVED! Reach out to Project WET to discover ways you can conserve and protect your water resources.

For more information, please visit:

www.projectwet.org