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A Kelowna school is opting to “Make Water Work” given the fast approaching wildfire season.
Students and staff from École Glenmore Elementary joined with Okanagan Valley Mayors on Thursday to commit to the Okanagan WaterWise initiative, as led by the Okanagan Basin Water Board.
“This is the perfect spot for such a celebration as we prepare for summer and encourage residents to do their part to protect the waters of the Okanagan,” said Water Board Communications Director Corinne Jackson, who manages the Okanagan WaterWise program and its Make Water Work campaign.
“We’ve got children and adults sharing their hopes and demonstrating action to help ensure a secure water future.”
The Make Water Work initiative is a valley-wide operation held in cooperation with local governments and water utilities meant to encourage water conservation and provide tips on how to do so even in situations involving flooding.
Wendy Briggs, principal of Glenmore Elementary, referred to Greta Thunberg, the 16-year-old Swedish environmental activist who has shone a light on climate change, as on the right track when it comes to water conservation.
“I want my students, and my grandchildren, and their grandchildren, to be able to live in a world surrounded by clean water and a healthy ecosystem," she said, agreeing with Thunberg’s quote, “we need to treat the crisis as a crisis.”
One of their projects to conserve water revolves around their Seeds of Learning garden, which uses plant material best-suited for the Okanagan climate.
“We realized that changing how we plant in the Okanagan is an important step in being more WaterWise,” said fifth grade teacher Lisa Marques.
Several communities are participating, as led by their mayors including Osoyoos’ Sue McKortoff (OBWB Chair), Vernon’s Victor Cumming, Colin Basran of Kelowna, West Kelowna’s Gord Milsom, Peachland’s Cindy Fortin, Toni Boot of Summerland, Oliver’s Martin Johansen and Armstrong’s Chris Pieper. Acting Mayors Gerry Popoff represented Spallumcheen and Penny Gambell represented Lake Country.
The mayors will be encouraging their residents to Make Water Work this summer for a chance to be the “Make Water Work Community Champion.”
For more information on how to best conserve water in your community, click here.
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