Smiles...hundreds of smiles were on faces of the participants at the Santa Fe Children's Water Festival for 4th grade students, held February 9 and 10 at Sweeney Convention Center in Santa Fe. Smiling guides, wearing white T-shirts with the big Water Festival logo on the front, strode across the exhibit hall, each followed by a group of smiling 4th grade students, teachers and parents. The Water Wizard smiled and waved to them as they came by.

In each room, the activity presenters smiled and welcomed another group before proceeding to lead an activity session. A group of 5th grade students from Reach the Children School were Masters of Ceremony for Water Jeopardy, a friendly competition between two classes of 4th graders searching for the questions for water answers - like the TV show. Educators from Santa Fe National Forest helped students understand the perils and challenges in the life of a Rio Grande Cutthroat Trout, while other folks from New Mexico Game and Fish Department provided microscopes and magnifying glasses so students could Meet Water Bugs from the icy waters of the Pecos River. City of Santa Fe Water Conservation officers led The Long Haul to help students really appreciate how much water a gallon of water is as they haul enough to flush the toilet or brush their teeth. Santa Fe County educators showed the students how native vegetation along The River's Edge keeps the water cleaner.

Other organizations that presented activities include the Army Corps of Engineers, Amigos Bravos, Agriculture in the Classroom, National Weather Service, Bandelier National Monument, New Mexico State Land Office, New Mexico Environment Department Surface Water Quality Bureau, and Audubon New Mexico with able assistance from Office of the State Engineer Water Conservation Office. For the complete program check the website, www.pioneerwest.net.

So, why does water education bring smiles to so many faces? We have pondered this question and suggest this answer: Everyone knows that water is essential to life. As one student explained, "Without water we'll get dehydrated and go dead!"

We all know that we live in a desert and shouldn't waste water. Deep down inside, each of us has this niggling feeling that we could use our limited water more wisely and fairly. We all believe that in the future, making sure that there is enough water for everyone, including the other living beings with whom we share this arid space, will be a major challenge.

So, we all come to the Water Festival and share what we know with each other - young and old. The sharing of knowledge makes us all smile - with a shared sense of optimism that by combining what we older folks know with the bright energy and hope of the younger folks, we will succeed in managing our water wisely together.

Perhaps another reason for all the smiles is that during the Festival, everyone began to realize that we all can play a part in conserving our precious water and protecting water quality. Each of us - young and old - can do the things that help, like taking shorter showers, fixing leaks, planting native plants, picking up after our pets, disposing of oil and other hazardous substances safely and, most important, telling our families and friends what we have learned about water together.

Many communities in New Mexico will hold Water Festivals this year. Silver City, Socorro, Artesia and Gallup are planning Festivals for April, Carlsbad's will be in May and the seventh Middle Rio Grande Water Festival will be in October.
For more information, contact Susan Gorman, 505-259-7190, h2ofest@aol.com, www.pioneerwest.net.

Back to PioneerWest Homepage