Jackson children will be taught about environmental concerns

There are mixed opinions about the best way to make a positive impact on our present environmental crisis. Some passionately believe that the only way to enact change is to develop public policy that makes the degradation of our air, water and earth illegal.

Others believe that demonstrations, protests and civil disobedience will make the world see the error of our ways. But for many, the importance of teaching children the value of our natural resources, how to protect them and the consequences of not protecting them remains the key to a healthy future for our planet.

Keeping with this theory, for the past five years, New Jersey Community Water Watch, a joint project between New Jer-sey Public Interest Research Group (NJPIRG) and Ameri-corps, has been touring the state for an entire week in January teaching K-8 students these very lessons.

The purpose of the event is to educate students throughout the state about the tremendous water quality issues facing us here in New Jersey. Education week attempts to not only teach children about the problems, but to also draw attention statewide among New Jersey citizens to these problems.

For the first time, we will bring these fun, hands-on lessons to Ocean County on Jan. 14 at the Crawford-Rodriguez and Switlik schools in Jackson.

The theme of this year’s Education Week Tour is “Green Lands, Clean Water,” teaching the connection between green, natural open space and water quality. The lessons are derived from Project WET and tailored for location.

NJCWW believes that providing young students with a basic knowledge about water resources, water pollution and water conservation is the best way to begin combating these problems. An understanding that water is a vitally important natural resource is essential for the next generation.

Jeanine Cava

Community Organizer

New Jersey

Community Water Watch

Toms River