Kids have fun while learning about watershed protection

Three-year-old twins Morgan, left, and Madison Burnett get an up-close look at a Saw-whet owl held by Lake Erie Nature & Science Center volunteer Judy Brody. The girls came to the GLRI event with their mother, Heather, and grandmother, Nancy Martin.

Numerous families took advantage of a fun-filled event at the Educator’s Market & Toy store in Westlake on Saturday, Dec. 10.  As part of the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative (GLRI) Project, “A Holistic Watershed Approach to Health at Huntington Beach,” the fun fest used a book by Joel Harper called “All the Way to the Ocean” to help teach kids and adults about watershed protection.  

The Cuyahoga Soil & Water Conservation District provided a hands-on learning game called Incredible Journey to allow kids to make a bracelet while learning about the water cycle. Lake Erie Nature & Science Center brought a variety of cuddly and interesting animals which allowed an up-close look at these fascinating creatures.

The Cuyahoga County Board of Health (CCBH) used a 3-D streetscape model to demonstrate urban and rural water systems. This interactive display realistically shows the migration of fresh water and the transfer of waste water. CCBH also provided coloring pages and a paper butterfly craft project that encouraged the kids to get creative.  

Educator’s Market & Toy will post the watershed pledges that the kids made to protect the Earth’s water next year. In fact, to encourage pledge participation, each child received a plastic animal toy to help them remember their pledge. Families had a chance to win a rain barrel to help become more sustainable in their own yard and one lucky winner got the call.

The GLRI will have numerous projects next year and we encourage families to participate and get involved in protecting their environment. To find out more, check out our Facebook page at GLRI Huntington Beach and contact Suzanne Krippel at skrippel@ccbh.net or 216-201-2001, ext. 1242.