For immediate release: June 7, 2007

Media Contact:    Stephanie Kaleva

Arizona Conserve Water publication to impact more than 100,000 Arizona students in the next five years.

Bozeman, Mont. and Tucson/Phoenix, Ariz., 06 June, 2007 – In 2005, Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano called for a statewide water conservation effort to help strengthen a “culture of conservation” in the state. After hearing Governor Napolitano’s call for action, the Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR), the Bureau of Reclamation’s Phoenix Area Office (Reclamation), and Arizona Project WET contacted the Project WET Foundation, an organization dedicated to teaching the world about water, to discuss the development of a teachers’ guide to educate Arizona students about water conservation.  The three organizations had been working together since 2001 to create water education tools for Arizona’s educators.  Given this history of collaborative partnerships and the need for additional water specific educator resources, the organizations felt the Project WET curriculum and pedagogy could, if adapted and localized to meet Arizona’s specific needs, significantly contribute to statewide water conservation efforts.

ADWR and Reclamation’s Phoenix Area Office formed a new partnership to fund the creation of Arizona Conserve Water and worked with Arizona Project WET (Water Education for Teachers) at the University of Arizona’s Water Resources Research Center and the Project WET Foundation, based in Bozeman, Mont., on the coordination, management, and publication of the guide. 

Project WET publications are unique because each is created through the collaboration of scientists, water managers, academicians, and educators.  According to Marjie Risk, ADWR’s Statewide Water Conservation Coordinator, “The development of Arizona Conserve Water brought together more than 75 key stakeholders – representing a variety of perspectives – who participated in curriculum development workshops and reviewed the guide.  Additionally, teachers across the state tested drafts of the lessons in their classrooms. The publication of this book embodies Arizona’s commitment to water conservation.”

Beginning in June 2007, Arizona Project WET will conduct teacher training workshops, introducing K-12 teachers to Arizona Conserve Water. Designed with the needs of Arizona’s teachers in mind, all activities in the book were correlated to Arizona Academic Standards.  As a result, over the next five years, more than 100,000 students will complete activities in Arizona Conserve Water.  By participating in Arizona Conserve Water activities, these students - future leaders and policy makers – will be challenged to conserve water at a personal level

“We are proud of our partnership with Arizona and applaud Governor Napolitano, ADWR, Reclamation, and Project WET Arizona for their vision,” said Project WET Foundation President and CEO Dennis Nelson.

This 350-page, full-color book includes background information on Arizona’s water situation, 15 interactive, multi-disciplinary lessons, and 10 Arizona case studies.  Arizona Conserve Water can be ordered online at http://store.projectwet.org.

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.

Arizona Project WET promotes responsible stewardship through excellent and effective water education.  Arizona Project WET is a comprehensive teacher-tested water education program meeting district, teacher and student needs through partnerships across the state. http://cals.arizona.edu/AZWATER/wet/  

The Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR) works to secure long-term dependable water supplies for Arizona's communities. Created in 1980, ADWR administers Arizona’s landmark Groundwater Management Code and represents the state in discussions with the other six states bordering on the Colorado River.  ADWR also is at the forefront of statewide water planning and conservation.   www.azwater.gov

The Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) has been involved in the critical issue of water development in Arizona since 1902. Working with the state of Arizona and other partners, the Phoenix Area Office has helped the state of Arizona move forward with its water management goals.  The results, accomplishments such as the Salt River Project and the Central Arizona Project, have helped with the delivery and management of water resources.  Yet, in the 21^st century, water supply remains at the forefront of planning issues.   As the agency created to design and build many of this nation’s water projects, and as the largest water wholesaler in the country, water conservation is one of Reclamation’s top priorities.  We believe that with the help of water users throughout the West, more efficient water use by everyone will help meet much of the increasing demand for water.  http://www.usbr.gov/lc/phoenix/