Long Beach Water Partners with Local Non-profit and Students to Conserve Water by Kaylee Weatherly Dec 26, 2017 Member Submitted News Long Beach and El Segundo, California – Long Beach Water is partnering with Grades of Green, a Los Angeles-based environmental education non-profit, to work with Long Beach schools and students on initiatives that will conserve water. Schools compete from January through March in the Grades of Green Water Challenge program to learn about local water issues and find ways to reduce water consumption. Up to 75 schools will compete to conserve an estimated 900,000 gallons of water over the course of the challenge. Student teams share their findings with their school community, and then encourage students and their families to establish water-reducing habits and measure the results. At the end of the program, the students will create a one-minute video highlighting their Water Challenge results. Schools that complete the three-month Challenge and submit their video compete for a $1,000 educational grant. “This partnership perfectly supports our City’s focus on creating sustainable Long Beach lifestyles. It helps develop and instill lifelong awareness, as well as water use efficiency values and habits in community members of all ages,” said Lana Haddad, director of government and public affairs for Long Beach Water. “Engagement through education is integral to creating a water-wise future for Long Beach.” Through this partnership with Long Beach Water, Grades of Green will provide each participating local school with: an “Eco Starter Kit” of materials to kick-off the Water Challenge; access to a Google Classroom library of activities and learning resources with step-by-step instructions for over 40 Grades of Green activities, including downloadable games, resources, artwork, and measures of environmental progress; a series of webinars using Google Classroom to guide participating teachers and students through each step of the Water Challenge process; and one-on-one support from a Grades of Green Advisor. Students also will have opportunities to interact and learn from one another. “Long Beach Water is committed to sustainability and water conservation through education. We are excited to be working together,” said Emily Gee, Grades of Green’s Director of Global Programs and Water Challenge program creator. “Many schools from around Southern California have already registered to participate in this upcoming 3-month program. We will provide tools and leadership support for students as they become environmental stewards in their local communities and learn about the importance of water conservation and protection on a global scale.” To participate in the Grades of Green Water Challenge, interested schools can register online at no cost by Jan 5, 2018. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfj4cDsGRJQ90yg8Lstsomzz2KWSP7WYdU7qgQ9NIDSdM-66Q/viewform ABOUT GRADES OF GREEN Grades of Green is an environmental education non-profit dedicated to providing parents, students and educators with fun, hands-on activities that inspire and empower students to care for the environment. Over 500,000 students and 600 schools have joined our green school movement since 2011. ABOUT LONG BEACH WATER DEPARTMENT As a recognized leader in water conservation and innovation, the Long Beach Water Department contributes to creating a sustainable community, develops collaborative partnerships, and fosters a quality workforce. For more information visit lbwater.org and follow us on social media @lbwater.