Reed asks Hoosiers to be more ‘water wise’ in September

Learn Green, Live Green focus for September: H2Know: Water Conservation

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - Precious little freshwater exists. Did you know that if the entire world’s water were to fit into a gallon jug, the amount of freshwater would be just one tablespoon full?

Every day, each North American uses 50 to 70 gallons of water indoors and about the same amount outdoors, depending on the season. In contrast, the average person in the developing world uses approximately 2.6 gallons each day. Startling numbers such as these underscore the importance of Indiana’s Learn Green, Live Green focus for September: H2Know: Water Conservation.

“We all need to be more water wise in our daily lives,” said Superintendent of Public Instruction Dr. Suellen Reed. “That means not only conserving the amount of water we use but also doing our part to preserve the quality of water for future generations.”

Water conservation

When most people think about water conservation, quantity first comes to mind. However, water quality is equally important. There are simple things Hoosiers can do every day at home, at school and at work to become more water wise and truly make a difference. Go online to www.doe.in.gov/green for tips, fun facts, school projects, reading lists and much more.

Saint Joe’s Riverdale Elementary committed to outdoor education

Riverdale Elementary students in Saint Joe have a unique classroom – the outdoors. When the weather is nice, students study nature up close along the St. Joseph River Greenway, a 1.3-mile paved walkway along the St. Joseph River in DeKalb County.

The Greenway is a seven-year collaborative effort between the DeKalb County Eastern School District and the community of Saint Joe. It features outdoor classrooms, bird houses, trees and even wetlands; making science, environmental education and water conservation efforts come to life for the students.

“This is a great resource for the whole community,” said Brennen Kitchen, principal at Riverdale Elementary School. “The kids are proud of it, and the community is proud of it. The town board has even stepped in to provide resources.” 

To learn more about the St. Joseph River Greenway in Saint Joe and what other schools across the state are doing to “go green,” visit www.doe.in.gov/green and click on the Spotlights link.

Keep up the ‘green’ work

Although this month’s focus is water conservation, Hoosiers should take a look at all the other Learn Green, Live Green initiatives such as recycling, reducing waste, using renewable resources, choosing more environmentally friendly transportation and learning more about beneficial organisms. For more information on our past initiatives, visit www.doe.in.gov/green and click through the different months on each of the tabs or go to the Recycle Bin.

Learn Green, Live Green

Learn Green, Live Green is a year-long initiative, launched in January 2008, that is designed to help educators, students, parents and community members discover practical, cost-effective ways to model environmentally-responsible behavior both inside and outside of the classroom. The Learn Green, Live Green concept fits naturally with Indiana’s academic standards, local school curricula and student learning goals at each grade level. Local participation is completely voluntary.

Each month in 2008, the Indiana Department of Education spotlights a different aspect of the issue through an interactive Web site, www.doe.in.gov/green, while offering a variety of related resources for schools and communities.

Source: Indiana DOE

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