Educate. Empower. Act. The mission of Project WET is to reach children, parents, educators and communities of the world with water education. We invite you to join us in educating children about the most precious resource on the planet — water.
Bozeman Walmart’s PSP Captain and Jewelry Department Manager told a captivated group of children and parents, "And then I precipitated from the clouds to the ocean. The ocean was a comfortable place, and I spent many days swimming among the other drops of water. Then, one day, I found myself being pulled to the surface of the ocean.”
She concluded, “And that is the story of my incredible journey."
In Project WET’s activity, the Incredible Journey, children act as water molecules, simulating the movement of water through the water cycle. At the Project WET and Walmart World Water Day Celebration on March 22, 2008, "The Incredible Journey" was one of 11 activities in which weekend shoppers participated.
At the Bozeman and Miles City (Montana) Walmarts, more than 400 children, along with their parents, grandparents and guardians, learned about ground water, the water cycle, water conservation and ways to protect their watersheds through Project WET activities. Walmart associates, and the Project WET staff who trained them, led the activities.
Shoppers pledged to "Go Green in 2008" by writing their commitments on a banner, and received the Project WET Kids In Discovery series activity booklet Conserve Water.
Prior to the festival, Miles City and Bozeman Walmart employees participated in a six-hour Project WET workshop. Project WET-trained associates reached out to their respective communities by teaching activities in local classrooms.
In addition, they facilitated teambuilding and increased water resources awareness among fellow associates by conducting Project WET activities during store meetings. For both stores, the results of the Project WET training and World Water Day Celebration were significant for Walmart’s PSP program. (The PSP program is part of Walmart’s Sustainability 360 Program and seeks to motivate associates to take action, doing their part to sustain the world).
"The Project WET experience for the Miles City and Bozeman Walmarts was tremendous," said Market PSP Coordinator Freddie Voorhees.
"The employee training aligned perfectly with our PSP program, and the Project WET kits, publications and festival provides turnkey opportunities for the associates to give back to the communities in which they live and work,” he noted.
At the Bozeman store, associates’ participation in Walmart’s PSP program increased by 50 percent. Additionally, associates had the opportunity to interact with local stakeholders including the Boys and Girls Club, Ducks Unlimited, city officials and the private sector.
"Given water's role in our global economy," Voorhees said, "Walmart is proud to work with Project WET to educate consumers about water stewardship."