The Southwest Florida Water Management District is teaming up with the United States Geological Survey and the American Ground Water Trust to offer a free, two-day Ground Water Institute for teachers in the Peace River watershed.
The Ground Water Institute is June 5 and 6 at the Turner Agric-Civic Center in Arcadia and is open to educators from schools and organizations in Charlotte, DeSoto, Hardee, Highlands and Polk counties, specifically middle and high school teachers.
The goal of this program is to increase water resources awareness among teachers and students within the Peace River watershed so that they are empowered to play an active role in protecting these resources. Participants will receive training in hydrology and the geologic framework of the watershed. They will also explore water quality issues, habitat restoration initiatives and the Peace River as a water supply source. Additionally, participants will be given resources to use in the classroom and ideas for lesson plans and fieldwork opportunities in the Peace River area.
The District’s Peace River Basin Board has provided the funding for this program, which covers development and coordination of the program, registration, correspondence, participant materials and program implementation. Funding also includes lodging for 24 educators.
Please visit the American Ground Water Trust’s web site at www.agwt.org and click on the Teacher Institutes link to register. Up to 40 educators may participate in the program but the first 24 who register will also receive free lodging.
If you have any questions, please call Raina O’Neil, District youth education coordinator, at (800) 423-1476, ext. 4774 or email RainaOneil@watermatters.org./