Webcam at the Wetlands Link Here 

Wetlands Water Education Facility General Facts:

• “Official” Open House/Grand Opening – October 8, 1999
• School Use – the building was organized and configured by EMWD’s Community Involvement Department education specialist. Approximately 1,200 square feet.
• School groups started using the building October 13, 1999
• Educational Materials, purchased and donated
• Hands-on Education Program, Tested in Grades 3-6
• Expect about 30 groups of school students each school year
  • Other Uses:
    • Meeting Room for non-school visitors
    • Researchers use the building for sample preparation, rest, lunch, etc.

Visitors 

Tour Groups and Academic & Civic Use of the Wetlands Facilities

• International Visitors from 34 Countries have toured the site:

 Algeria              Cuba (corres. only)    Israel            Russia 

 Australia          Dominican Rep.         Japan            Spain

 Bolivia               Ecuador                         Jordan           Taiwan 

 Brazil                  Egypt                              Mexico           Tunisia 

 Canada              Ethiopia                        Moldova         Uruguay 

 Chile                    France                          Morocco         West Bank       

 China                  Gaza Strip                   Nicaragua        Yemen

 Colombia          Greece                          Oman 

 Costa Rica         Guatemala                  Peru 

• Native American Groups:
  • Hopi Tribe (Kykotsmovi, AZ)
  • Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians (Palm Springs, CA)
  • Augustine Band of Mission Indians (Coachella, CA)
  • Ramona Band of Cahuilla Indians (Anza, CA)
  • Torres-Martinez Band (Thermal, CA)
  • Twenty-Nine Palms Band of Mission Indians (Coachella, CA)
• Geography Summer Commuter Institute Tour, sponsored by National Geographic Society and Cal. State University, San Bernardino.
• Various water purveyors and wastewater treatment agencies investigating possible wetlands projects, as well as other groups, have visited the H/SJ site and view it as a model for future projects.
• UC Riverside and UCR Extension – numerous field trips for various classes and departments; classroom presentations at UCR also provided by staff.
• Mt. San Jacinto Community College used the wetlands and an outdoor ecology laboratory and conducted classes on site.
• Boy Scouts of America – site for Eagle Scout Community Service Efforts.
• Southern California. Science Fair projects, including a statewide winner.
• Retired Senior and Volunteer Program (RSVP).
• Tour and use of site for meeting, League of Women Voters, Environmental Action Committee.

Project Awards

• 2001 – ACWA – Association of California Water Agencies, Clair A. Hill Award for Excellence
• 1994 – ACWA – Association of California Water Agencies , Theodore Roosevelt Environmental Award for Excellence in Natural Resources
• 1994 – AMSA – Association of Metropolitan Sewerage Agencies Research and Technology Award
• 1993 Inland Empire West Resource Conservation District Conservation Partnership Award, Water Quality
• 1992 – California Local Government Commission Award for Innovation in Water Conservation, Reclamation, and Management