'Water Wise Workshop' teaches kids about protecting water
By Nathaniel Weixel Contributing Writer

(l to r) Scott, 11, Daniel, 6, and Steven Cucinotta, 9, dig a watershed in the sand during the Organization for the Assabet River's Water Wise Workshop for kids June 26 at the Grove in Marlborough. Nearly 20 kids attended the first in a series of workshops.

Marlborough - A group of nearly 20 children ranging in age from 6 to 12 braved the summer heat last week to learn about the water cycle.

On June 26, the Organization for the Assabet River held the first of its "Water Wise Workshops" for kids at the Grove in Marlborough. The participants learned about the stages of the water cycle, how storm drains work and how to prevent water pollution. They also got to build their own watershed in the sand to see how it worked.

Instructors Amanda Dalton, of Hudson, and Amelia Mitter-Burke, of Marlborough, showed the children how pollution can enter a watershed through a storm drain by pouring colored water into a small, plastic hose. It emptied into a hole filled with clean water. Dalton explained that the colored water mixing with the clean is what can happen if a pollutant like motor oil is dumped down a storm drain.

"That doesn't look good, does it?" she asked.

Priscilla Ryder, the conservation officer for the city, helped oversee the workshop. She said it was encouraging to see children learning about water protection.

"We're trying to educate kids on all aspects of water protection," Ryder said. "We want to teach them how we can collectively improve water quality."

Mitter-Burke said she hoped the kids gained more awareness about the environment.

"We're doing what we can to spread awareness," she said.

Dalton said the workshop was supposed to show the kids how their actions around the neighborhood affected bodies of water, even if they don't live near any.

"We want them to make connections … to know they can aff ect water by what they do around the house," Dalton said.

Louisa Holmi, 10, was one of the participants. She said she was glad to learn about watersheds because she had no clue what a watershed was before the workshop. She said participating was not just for her personal education.

"I wanted to be more aware of what happens [with water] in my community," she said.

Ryder said it wasn't just the participants who should have been educated by the workshop.

"Adults learn through the kids," she said.

All the workshops are held on Tuesdays at 10 a.m. at the Grove. The next workshop in the series is scheduled for July 10, followed by the 17, and finally July 31. Anyone interested in more information is encouraged to visit www.assabetriver.org.