For immediate release: February 2, 2007

Media Contact:    Stephanie Kaleva

The Every Drop Counts^TM Grant Program was launched in 2005 to assist educators in conducting water-related service learning and community education projects.

Bozeman, Mont., Feb. 02, 2007 – This week, as part of the Every Drop Counts Grant Program launched by Nestlé Waters North America, Inc. and Project WET in 2005, ten U.S. educators are being awarded a $1,000 grant. This financial resource makes it possible for teachers and classes to conduct service learning projects benefiting the water resources of their local community and/or educate their communities about local water resources.

According to Dennis Nelson, President and CEO of Project WET, “The Every Drop Counts Grant Program allows educators to apply classroom concepts to everyday scenarios. By connecting education with action, Project WET is helping students make a difference in the water resources of their communities.” Nelson continued, “The Every Drop Counts Grant Program contributes to Project WET USA’s mission of promoting responsible water stewardship through excellent and effective water education.”

To qualify for the grant, the teacher and his/her class must have participated in Make a Splash with Project WET, a national day of water education held in September of each year. Make a Splash with Project WET water festivals place water education principles in a fun, interactive environment. Make a Splash Festivals are made possible by a generous donation from Nestlé Waters North America.

According to Nestlé Waters North America President Kim Jeffery, “Nestlé Waters North America embraces programs such as Every Drop Counts and Make a Splash because we understand the importance of teaching children early on about the value of water as a natural resource. If we can teach children during their formative years, we hope they will take an active role in promoting water stewardship throughout their lives.”

2006 Every Drop Counts grant recipients and their respective projects are as follows: 

1. Dorinda White, St. Alban's Episcopal School, Arlington, Texas. Grade 1
   The Impact of a Water Conservation Program on a Local Recreational Lake and an Analysis of Water Usage in the City of Arlington
2. Jennifer Vaughn, St. Andrew's Episcopal School, Grand Prairie, Texas. Grades 3-5
   Analysis of Home Water Bills Followed by Water Conservation Public Messages
3. Nancy Pfeil, Dawson Elementary, Austin, Texas. Grade 4
   Bank Stabilization of East Bouldin Creek Followed by Community Presentations on Wetlands and Water Quality.
4. Kevin Kriskovich, Heart Butte School, Blackfeet Nation, Heart Butte, Mont. Grade 5
   Study of Four Horn Reservoir with Emphasis Management of Native and Non-Native Fish Species.
5. Cassie Carter, Montana Outdoor Science School, Bozeman, Mont. Grades 4-8
   Inventory of Trail Creek Watershed followed by Stream Bank Restoration and Weed Management.
6. Elaine Mendelow, Memorial School/Project Challenge, Cinnaminson, N.J. Grades 3-5
   Horseshoe Crab and Red Knot Study, Enviroscape Training and Macroinvertabrate investigation of Pompeston Creek.
7. Kim Sigman, Brass Castle Elementary, Washington, N.J. Grade 5
   Showcasing GIS Data from Pohatcong and Musconetcong Watersheds.
8. Lisa Shepard, Calistoga Elementary School, Calistoga, Calif. Grade 5
   Construction of an Outdoor Sink and Wetland Water Treatment System for the Calistoga Elementary School Garden.
9. Jan Jacobs & Marsha Martin, White Pine School District, Bovill, Idaho. Grades K-6
   Increasing Water Conservation Awareness Using the Explore Outdoor and Watershed Programs.
10. Tammy Russell, Walden School, West Danville, Vt. Grades 7-8
    Reconstruction of the Walden Nature Trail.

About Project WET

Since 1984, Project WET, an award-winning 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, has dedicated itself to the mission of reaching children, parents, teachers and community members of the world with water education.  Project WET achieves its mission of worldwide water education by:

• publishing water resource materials in several languages.
  
• providing training workshops on diverse water topics (i.e., watersheds, water quality, water conservation).
  
• organizing community water events, such as Make a Splash with Project WET water festivals and the Global Water Education Village™.
  
• building a worldwide network of educators, water resource professionals and scientists.

On the web at www.projectwet.org.

About Nestlé Waters North America

Founded in 1976, Nestlé Waters North America Inc. employs 8,400 staff across the country and is known for its popular bottled water brands including Poland Spring, Arrowhead, Ozarka, Deer Park, Zephyrhills, Ice Mountain, Nestlé Pure Life, Perrier and S. Pellegrino. Nestlé Waters’ dedication to product quality, manufacturing expertise, employee development and environmental stewardship has helped the company become America’s leading bottled water company. Online at www.nestle-watersna.com.