Grey Bruce Children's Water Festival

August 12, 2003
WI CRAFTS & HOBBY FAIR SUPPORTS WATER FESTIVAL

The WI Crafts & Hobby Fair was proud today to announce their support for the 2003 Grey Bruce Clean Water Festival by providing a cash contribution of $1,200. The WI Crafts & Hobby Fair is made up of seven branches from the Bruce County Women's Institute. The Crafts & Hobby Fair hosts a quilt auction each year raising money to be donated back to the community. "This year the committee felt the Water Festival was a natural choice," states Quilt Convener, Gunne Weber. "It's important for the kids to learn where our water comes from."

At the home of the Water Festival in Chesley, the WI Crafts & Hobby Fair Chair, Anna Hodge along with Quilt Convener, Gunne Weber presented The Grey Bruce Clean Water Festival Chair, Craig Todd and Festival Co-ordinator, Deb Fawcett with a "bucket full of money" totaling $1,200.

The Grey Bruce Clean Water Festival is a fun and educational event designed to give students hands-on learning about the importance of water resources in everyday life. Through forty seven interactive activities, students learn about the wise use, conservation and protection of water and stewardship of the environment.

The third annual Grey Bruce Clean Water Festival will be held from September 22-25 at the Chesley Community Centre. Over 2,000 grade 4 students from Grey and Bruce Counties will attend, plus over 500 volunteers.

For more information about The Grey Bruce Clean Water Festival contact Debbie Fawcett Festival Coordinator at 924-2914 or info@waterfestival.ca.

October, 2002
"See What Lives in the Water" - Saugeen City News
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October, 2002
"Clean Water Festival A Great Success" Letters to the Editor: Saugeen City News
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October, 2002
"Students Applaud Water Festival" Letters to the Editor: Saugeen City News
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September 27, 2002
"News: Grey Bruce Clean Water Festival" - Saugeen City News
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September 25, 2002
"Clean Water Festival Underway" - The Chesley Enterprise
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September, 2002
"Fish Eye" - Sun Times
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February 6, 2002
A POSITIVE IMPACT ON WATER ISSUES & BEHAVIOURS

The first-ever Grey Bruce Clean Water Festival reports two in three students use less water now than they did before they went to the Festival. The Water Festival organizing committee hired Ipsos-Reid to conduct two surveys among the grade 4 students who attended the Festival last September. The surveys were conducted both before and after the Festival with the objective of exploring the students' knowledge and attitudes about water, and test whether there where any changes as a result of attending the Festival.

Over 2,100 students across Grey and Bruce counties experienced the playful and educational event that was designed to give students hands-on learning about the importance of water resources in everyday life. There were 40 interactive activity centers, where children had the opportunity to learn about the wise use, conservation and protection of water and water sources.

The Ipsos-Reid survey results state, "Students generally have a good knowledge of water issues and the Festival had a positive impact on their knowledge and behaviours." There has been a significant increase in the percentage of students who are aware of water usage in Ontario and this further reinforces the impact the Festival has had on students in Grey and Bruce Counties.

Students were also asked on the survey to write the most important thing they learned at the Festival. Student comments indicate that their primary learning was the understanding of the amount of water we use and ways to conserve water.

Based on the positive impact the Festival had on the students and the community at large, the organizing committee is proud to announce that the 2002 Grey Bruce Clean Water Festival will take place on September 23-26, at the Chesley Community Center. Teachers will be contacted during the month of May to register their 2002/03 grade 4 students. For more information about The Grey Bruce Clean Water Festival contact Debbie Fawcett Festival Coordinator at 924-2914 or info@waterfestival.ca.

September 28, 2001
"Water, water, everywhere!" - The Saugeen City News

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September 27, 2001
"Youth takes on water issues in Africa" by Jon Radojkovic - Owen Sound Sun Times
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September 25, 2001
"Students get hands-on lessons in conservation ..." by Jon Radojkovic - Owen Sound Sun Times
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September 2001
DON'T BE A DRIP!! COME OUT TO THE FIRST EVER Grey Bruce Clean Water Festival PUBLIC EVENING

The first ever Grey Bruce Clean Water Festival will open it's flood gates on Monday, September 24th at the Chesley Community Centre. Over 2000 grade 4 students will attend the Festival from schools across Grey and Bruce counties. The Festival is a playful and educational event designed to give students hands-on learning about the importance of water resources in everyday life.

There are more than 40 interactive activity centers, where children will have a lot of fun while learning about the wise use, conservation and protection of water and water sources. Activities include; AQ the Amazing Aquifer, The Great Water Race, Well Sealed and We Use That Much, an interactive display showing us how much water we actually use in every day activities. For more information on all the activities visit the website @ www.waterfestival.ca.

The Grey Bruce Clean Water Festival will also open its doors to the public on Wednesday evening September 26th from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. "The Water Festival is an excellent opportunity for everyone in Grey & Bruce to learn about how they can take a role in respecting and protecting our water resources," said Debbie Fawcett, Festival Co-ordinator.

The Festival has been made possible due to the efforts and passion of over 16 organizations spear headed by the Bruce Resource Stewardship Network, Grey County Forest Stewardship Network and the Sydenham Conservation Foundation. The community has also come out in droves to support this Festival through volunteerism and funding sponsorships.

Don't miss the first ever Grey Bruce Clean Water Festival, come out on Wednesday, September 26th from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m.

August 2001
SHELL ENVIRONMENTAL FUND AWARDS $5,000 TO Grey Bruce Clean Water Festival

With funding from the Shell Environmental Fund (SEF), Canadians from Vancouver Island to Newfoundland continue to take personal action in support of the environment. "The Grey Bruce Clean Water Festival has received $5,000 from the SEF", according to Debbie Fawcett, Festival Coordinator.

Created in 1990, the Shell Environmental Fund is a national program intended to make a local difference. A total of $8,123,501.26 has been granted to 3,028 environmental projects across the country. These projects included habitat restoration, beach and road clean-ups, waste reduction and recycling programs, trail-building, educational initiatives, and other environmental projects.

Individuals, schools, community associations, service clubs and environmental groups have used the grants, of up to $5,000 per project, to improve and protect their environment.

The Shell Environmental Fund accepts applications for projects that are action-oriented, innovative, and community-based. To make the funding decisions, Shell consults representatives of environmental organizations and government.

For more information about the Shell Environmental Fund, visit the SEF website at www.shell.ca or call Shell Canada Limited at 1-800-338-1410.

For more information about The Grey Bruce Clean Water Festival contact Debbie Fawcett Festival Coordinator at 924-2914 or info@waterfestival.ca.

July 2001
ICE RIVER SPRINGS WATERCOMPANY INC. SUPPORTS NEW WATER FESTIVAL DONATING $2,500

The Ice River Springs Water Company located in Feversham were proud to announce their support in the amount of $2,500 to The Grey Bruce Clean Water Festival. Ice River Springs is a family owned company bottling certified natural spring waters specializing in both private label and brand name products. "Protecting water quality, good stewardship practices and sustainable use are critical to us," comments Sandy Gott, Owner of the company with her husband Jamie. "When we heard about the Grey Bruce Clean Water Festival and it's objective to educate children about water and the environment, we knew instantly that we had to get involved." Sandy & Jamie Gott presented Craig Todd, Festival Chair with a cheque for $1,750.00 plus 150 cases of bottled water to be used for the children and volunteers at the Festival.

The Grey Bruce Clean Water Festival is a playful and educational event designed to give students hands-on learning about the importance of water resources in everyday life. Through more than 30 activity centers, students will learn about the wise use, conservation and protection of water and water sources.

This event is a collaborative effort involving 18 community organizations that are dedicated to promoting awareness and understanding of the importance of conservation of water and the environment. The first annual Grey Bruce Clean Water Festival will be held from September 24-27 at the Chesley Community Centre. The Festival will also be open to the general public from 4: 00 - 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 26.

For more information about The Grey Bruce Clean Water Festival contact Debbie Fawcett Festival Coordinator at 924-2914 or info@waterfestival.ca.

June 26, 2001
"Wonder of Water" by Bill Henry - Owen Sound Sun Times
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June 2001
TD FRIENDS OF THE ENVIRONMENT FOUNDATION AWARDS $2,000 TO Grey Bruce Clean Water Festival

The Hanover and Owen Sound Chapters of the TD Friends of the Environment Foundation awarded $1,000 each to The Grey Bruce Clean Water Festival. The Friends of the Environment Foundation is a non-profit organization established by Canada Trust that provides funding support for initiatives that make a positive impact on the Canadian environment through the locally focused Friends of the Environment Foundation Community Fund.

Peter Kritz, Branch Manager for Hanover Canada Trust presented Craig Todd, Festival Chair and Debbie Fawcett, Festival Co-ordinator with a cheque for $1,000.00. Peter commented, "We are proud to partner with such an important initiative focusing on children, education, water and the environment!"

The Grey Bruce Clean Water Festival is a playful and educational event designed to give students hands-on learning about the importance of water resources in everyday life. Through more than 30 activity centers, students will learn about the wise use, conservation and protection of water and water sources.

This event is a collaborative effort involving 18 community organizations that are dedicated to promoting awareness and understanding of the importance of conservation of water and the environment. The first annual Grey Bruce Clean Water Festival will be held from September 24-27 at the Chesley Community Centre. The Festival will also be open to the general public from 4: 00 - 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 26.

For more information about The Grey Bruce Clean Water Festival contact Debbie Fawcett Festival Coordinator at 924-2914 or info@waterfestival.ca.

June 2001
ONTARIO TRILLIUM FOUNDATION AWARDS $66,000 TO Grey Bruce Clean Water Festival

The Ontario Trillium Foundation has awarded a grant of $66,000 over 3 years to The Grey Bruce Clean Water Festival. The Ontario Trillium Foundation, an agency of the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Recreation, receives annually $100 million of government funding generated through Ontario's charity casino initiative. Murray Smart from the Sydenham Conservation Foundation accepted the cheque on behalf of the Festival Organizing Committee. He noted that:

"We are thankful for the Trillium's commitment to the environment."

This event is a collaborative effort involving 18 community organizations that are dedicated to promoting awareness and understanding of the importance of conservation of water and the environment. Craig Todd, Chair of the Organizing Committee introduced the new Festival Coordinator, Debbie Fawcett, who will be responsible for coordinating all aspects of the Festival.

The goal of the Clean Water Festival Committee is "to cultivate in every child and adult who participates in the festival an understanding of and appreciation for the water they use and the environment in which they live." This year's Clean Water Festival will be held from September 24-27 at the Chesley Community Centre. Over 3,000 Grade 4 students from schools across Bruce and Grey counties will take part in approximately 30 hands-on, fun activities that will teach them about the wise use, conservation and protection of water and water sources. Grade 4 students are the target audience as Festival topics tie in with the New Ontario Curriculum. The Clean Water Festival will also be open to the general public from 4: 00 p.m. to dusk on Wednesday, September 26.

The current grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation will help support this important initiative, however additional sponsors and volunteers will be needed to ensure its success. For more information contact Festival Coordinator Debbie Fawcett at 924-2914 or info@waterfestival.ca.

A Division of the Grey Bruce Children's Water Education Council