News Releases

Department of Conservation
Bureau of Parks and Lands
Maine Forest Service
Maine Geological Survey and Natural Areas Program
Land Use Regulation Commission

CONTACT:
Kevin Doran 207-287-4988
Marianne DuBois 207-287-2115

MEDIA ADVISORY:
9th Annual Southern Maine's Water Festival

Date: Friday, May 21
Location: University of Southern Maine's Gorham Campus 9:15 a.m. Ð2:20 p.m.

(Augusta)-- More than 800 fifth and sixth grade students and teachers from thirteen area schools will descend on USM'S Gorham Campus this Friday to learn about clean water, ecosystems and our precious Maine water resources. This year's event will include a special visit from Maine's First Lady Karen Baldacci who will greet students while observing learning activities across campus. Water education is the focus and the emphasis is on learning and fun. The day's schedule is packed with presentations and hands-on exhibits staffed by experts from public and private organizations, governmental agencies, and businesses teaching about water use, water as habitat for animals, forests, ecosystems, and how to protect water quality. Activities range from donning hazardous materials suits in the Suits Me! exhibit, to Getting Buggy! with a host of insects that give clues to water quality. Students will discover how trees affect water quality in Every Tree For Itself! while learning conservation strategies in Every Drop Counts! The 9th Annual Children's Water Festival is organized by the Maine Department of Environmental Protection and other state agencies and non-profit organizations.

Elementary and/or middle schools from the following Southern Maine towns will be attending: Arundel, Auburn, Baldwin, Casco, Cumberland, Monmouth, Peaks Island, Portland, Sanford, Sebago, Southport, and Yarmouth. Students from Gorham High School and Bonny Eagle High School will be volunteering at the Festival.

NOTE: The press is encouraged to visit the festival and experience the activities and exhibits that help students and teachers to learn more about clean water, our Maine resource! Bailey Hall is where the Quiz Shows and most of the classroom activities will take place. Vermont musician and songwriter Jon Gailmor will perform in Russell Hall. The exhibit hall (in Hill Gym) is open from 9:15 AM to 2:20 PM and features hands-on activities and exhibits.

PRESS PACKETS are available at the Hill Gym or contact Marianne DuBois at 287-2115. For more information on the 2004 Southern Maine Children's Water Festival, check our web site under Education and Outreach at www.state.me.us/dep/blwq/docteacher/cwf/index.htm

Major Sponsors of the Southern Maine Children's Water Festival include: Maine Department of Environmental Protection, Maine Department of Conservation, Portland Water District, Poland Spring Bottling Company, National Semiconductor, Cumberland County SWCD, Casco Bay Estuary Project, the University of Southern Maine, Maine Audubon, U. S. EPA New England, Sappi/S.D. Warren, Maine Coastal Program, Maine DHS Drinking Water Program, and J. Weston Walch Publishers.

Other sponsors include: LaMotte Company, the Whole Grocer, E.J. Prescott, S.D. Warren, Lee Dodge, Commercial Paving Company, Warren Water District, Biddeford and Saco Water District, Aqua Maine, Hannaford, Mister Bagel, and Oakhurst Dairy, and the Maine Department of Education.

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