Wetlands Education, Visitors, & Awards

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 more than 30 countries have toured the site, including:

 Algeria, Australia, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Columbia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, Ethiopia, France, Gaza Strip, Greece, Guatemala, Israel, Japan, Jordan, Mexico, Moldova, Morocco, Nicaragua, Oman, Peru, Russia, Spain, Taiwan, Tunisia, Uruguay, West Bank, Yemen.

 

• 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