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Earth Day at CHINO BASIN WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICT Montclair, California
On April 24, 2009, the Chino Basin Water Conservation District celebrated its 15th annual Earth Day Event. This celebration brings in 1200 5th grade students from the District’s service area who participate in many environmental learning activities. The activities are taught by professional teachers, many who are long term veterans of this event. This year’s program provided new challenges for all activities, exhibitors and coordinators because of the new park construction and reconfiguration. However, the District’s staff was able to layout a superior plan for all participants and this year was considered one of the best ever. |
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As the first wave of 600 students arrives in the morning they are directed to their assigned learning activities. Each student will take part in two sessions and plant a pine tree to take back with them from the Forestry Service. At noon, the second wave of 600 students arrive and the park and garden are teaming with approximately 1400 people for the lunch break. This is also the opportunity in which all students have an opportunity to visit the exhibitor’s booths. After lunch, the first group of 5th graders departs and the second group becomes engaged in their chosen activities. The list of activities includes Composting Worm Power, Drought Tolerant Plants and Irrigation, Water-Water Underground, River Action, Paper Making, Native American Culture and the Paul Cash Environmental Magic Show. The representative agencies or exhibitors in attendance included City of Chino Public Works, City of Montclair Public Works, Inland Empire Resource Conservation District, Inland Empire Utilities Agency, Monte Vista Water District, Ranchito Tivo Boer Goats, Rancho Santa Ana Botanical Garden, San Bernardino County Solid Waste Management Division, San Bernardino County Stormwater Programs, Santa Ana Watershed Association, United States Forest Service, Southern California Edison, West Valley Mosquito & Vector Control District and Wonders of Wildlife. This event was coordinated by District staff member Angie Arellano and a contracted educational coordinator, Tanaz Farzad. School districts within the Chino Basin’s boundaries are eligible to participate. Those school districts are Ontario-Montclair, Chaffey Joint Union HS, Upland, Central, Mountain View, Cucamonga, and the Chino Valley Unified. |
