CHINO, Calif., Oct. 2, 2001 — Aiming to teach students the importance of using water wisely, the Chino Youth Museum will expand its hands-on learning opportunities through a new water education exhibit with the help of Metropolitan Water District's Community Partnering Program.
State Senator Nell Soto (D-Ontario) joined Metropolitan Director Wyatt Troxel, who represents Inland Empire Utilities Agency on MWD's board of directors, in presenting a $7,000 CPP check to museum officials at tonight's Chino City Council meeting.
"It is so important for us to pass onto our children that water is a precious resource and we should all take care of it," said Soto, whose district straddles Los Angeles and San Bernardino counties and includes Chino.
"Conservation is one of the most important things we can do and it's easy. This museum gives them a place to go to learn that."
Metropolitan's CPP grant will help expand the museum's youth focus to include a pictorial display of the water cycle; an interactive display identifying the major Chino Valley water users and outlining what they use the water for and how they get it; and lessons about the importance of conservation. Visual aids will include a leaky faucet to show how much water can be wasted without proper repairs.
"Our two-year-old Community Partnering Program encourages the discussion of water quality, water conservation and water reliability issues important to the region by supporting research, educational collaborations at all levels and policy forums," Troxel said. "Metropolitan selected the museum project from among 72 requests for sponsorships this year because it meets the goals of our program, in what I know will be a compelling forum for students of all ages and the surrounding community."
"The goal of the new water education exhibit is to open new horizons to young people and adults," said Tina Sray, community services director for the city of Chino. "We hope to increase their understanding of the importance of water in our everyday lives and how everyone is responsible for the protection of this life-giving resource."
It's a message vitally important to the sponsoring agencies, which are charged with delivering limited resources to an ever-growing Southern California.
This year, Metropolitan will distribute more than $450,000 in grants and in-kind services to programs that demonstrate a value-added benefit to MWD and its 26 member public agencies, serving 17 million water consumers in six Southern California counties.
Under the CPP, sponsorships are provided for water-related activities such as public forums, educational and research programs, exhibits and other community-based events. Memberships in national, state, regional and local associations that support MWD's corporate and mission statements also are eligible, as well as educational mini-grants and innovative conservation programs.
The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California is a cooperative of 26 cities and water agencies serving 17 million people in six counties. The District imports water from the Colorado River and Northern California to supplement local supplies, and helps its members to develop increased water conservation, recycling, storage, and other water-management programs.
