NEWS FROM THE DELAWARE DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL

Sept. 29, 2009
Vol. 39, No. 390

For more information contact Jennifer Holmes, Delaware National Estuarine Research Reserve, Division of Soil and Water Conservation, 302-739-3436; or Melanie Rapp, Public Affairs, 302-739-9902. Photos available by calling Public Affairs, 302-739-9902.

Delaware students “Make
a Splash” during National
Estuaries Day celebration

DOVER, Del. – More than 400 fourth and fifth grade students from five elementary schools – Brader, North Smyrna, Fairview, Campus Community and South Dover – participated in today’s “Make a Splash” festival, an event designed  to engage and educate students on the diversity and importance of Delaware’s water resources. The day-long festival, held at the Delaware National Estuarine Research Reserve and the John Dickinson Plantation near Dover, featured interactive activities in conjunction with the National Estuaries Day celebration.

“Delaware’s estuaries are natural treasures that need our protection,” said Jennifer Holmes, education coordinator with DNREC’s Division of Soil and Water Conservation. “Our activities taught students how estuaries are essential to the health of coastal environments and encouraged them to become active participants in protecting our water resources.”

Twenty-four stations with activities and demonstrations on various water-related topics were available for students. New this year, the global positioning system activity demonstrated how new technology is currently being used by scientists to map and manage water resources. Another student favorite, “macro-invertebrates,” explained how insects are used as indicators of the water quality and health of streams and ponds.

Ronnie Griffin, a 5th grader at Campus Community School in Dover, was especially interested in the wetlands and mosquito demonstration presented by Laurie Poore of DNREC’s Division of Fish and Wildlife. “It was good to learn how old tires, flower pots, and toys in my backyard can hold water for mosquitoes to breed,” he said. “I learned that you should go outside and try and find things that will hold water and empty them.”

Other educational stations included activities on horseshoe crabs, stormwater runoff, pollution, estuaries, watersheds, groundwater, salinity, water supply and the historical importance of water.

At the “Long Haul,” an activity that taught students about the historical uses of water, educator Tom Herholdt of Tidewater Utilities summed up the enthusiastic response he received from students. “We wanted students to learn about the importance of water and how people should not take water for granted,” said Herholdt. “By participating in a bucket brigade, students learned how difficult it was for our ancestors to put out a house fire. This activity taught students the importance of protecting and conserving our water resources.”

The Delaware “Make a Splash” festival has been educating students and encouraging actions to help protect water resources for ten years. The planning committee includes representatives from: the Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control; Delaware Project WET; Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs – John Dickinson Plantation; Tidewater Utilities; and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Educators and volunteers for the event included staff from: Partnership for the Delaware Estuary; Brandywine Zoo; Delaware Department of Agriculture, Project Learning Tree; Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control; Delaware Fossil Collector, Bonni Jones; Delaware National Estuarine Research Reserve; Delaware Nature Society; Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs, John Dickinson Plantation; Delaware Division of Historical and Cultural Affairs, Zwaanendael Museum; John’s Well Drilling; Kalmar Nyckel; Kent Conservation District; New Castle Conservation District; Sally Bowman; Sussex Conservation District; Tidewater Utilities; and USDA, Natural Resources Conservation Service.

To explore the many educational opportunities and workshops offered at DNREC’s Delaware National Estuarine Research Reserve, contact Jennifer Holmes at 302-739-3436 or visit www.dnrec.delaware.gov and click on “Division of Soil and Water Conservation."