Nearly 200 students learn about water quality at Birch Aquarium in La Jolla
SAN DIEGO, November 2, 2012—As part of the global World Water Monitoring Challenge, San Diego Coastkeeper hosted nearly 200 students at its 11th Annual World Water Monitoring Day at Birch Aquarium. The event featured environmental and ocean themed educational activities for the school children from San Diego and Tijuana, Mexico. Coastkeeper and its event partners aimed to raise awareness and involvement in protecting water resources around the world.
“World Water Monitoring Day gives students a chance to explore water quality issues in their communities and give those issues a global perspective,” said Mallory Watson, community engagement coordinator for San Diego Coastkeeper.
Coastkeeper, Birch Aquarium and the San Diego County Office of Education partnered to present topics on water chemistry, marine debris, and urban runoff and demonstrate the impact of these pollution sources on water quality. In particular today, the children learned about San Diego’s Areas of Special Biological Significance located off La Jolla’s shore and what it means to protect water quality at these biologically unique sections of the state’s coast.
“One interactive station we hosted today asked children to test water quality in different jars of fresh water that have varying amounts of garden fertilizer in them,” said Travis Pritchard, San Diego’s Coastkeeper’s lab manager. “This very visual demonstration helps students connect the seemingly average routines that they have at home to harmful effects in their local waters.”
Today’s event brings attention to World Water Monitoring Challenge, which is an international outreach program to build public awareness and involvement in protecting water resources around the world. It takes place from March 22-December 31. Schools and groups are invited to participate through their own water monitoring activity during this season. To order testing kits and to learn more, visit the World Water Monitoring site.
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SAN DIEGO COASTKEEPER: Founded in 1995, San Diego Coastkeeper protects and restores fishable, swimmable and drinkable waters in San Diego County. Visit us online at https://www.sdcoastkeeper.org.
