CLEAN WATER CELEBRATION THEME AND KEYNOTE ANNOUNCED

The Sun Foundation announced the 22nd Annual Clean Water Celebration theme is “Many Lands-One Earth:  Water wisdom from around the world.”  Keynote presenters will be offered by storytellers Brian “Fox” Ellis, Oba William King, Anne Shimojima, Jo and Jimmy Lakota. They will take participants on a journey for a deeper appreciation of our wet, watery world and a deeper connection to the earth.  
Sun Foundation founder Bob Ericksen said, “People who live close to the land share a deep respect for the earth and her creatures. This reverence is best expressed in their stories and songs. This year’s keynote presenters will provide that unique experience.”
This year’s Clean Water Celebration will kick off on the Peoria riverfront on Sunday, April 19.  Opening ceremonies will begin at 4:00 p.m. at the Gateway Building with a Native American Blessing of the River and a Parade of Waters.  The public is invited to attend and bring water for the blessing. Hayna “White Beaver” Sine, Ho Chunk leader, will conduct the opening blessing ceremony.

The kick off will be followed by a keynote dinner at 5:30 p.m. at the GAR Hall, located at 416 Hamilton Blvd.  The organic dinner and lecture is $25 and the lecture alone is $15.  For reservations, please contact the Sun Foundation online at www.sunfoundation.org.
The Clean Water Celebration will continue on Monday, April 20 from 8:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Peoria Civic Center with an emphasis on educating local students, grades 4 -12, their teachers and the community as a whole.  The event is free for registered classes and offers the keynote presentation.  Participants will also enjoy presentations on green initiatives, recycling and conservation, storytelling and interactive, hands on exhibits.  

The Environmental Streams are 3- 20 minute sessions and are designed to give teachers and their classes more substance and science content.  The content in these streams will cover goals 4, 12, 13, 16, and 22 of the Illinois Learning Standards.  Each teacher will be able to take their class to a stream of three twenty-minute presentations on WATERSHEDS, AQUATIC LIFE/FISH, and RECYCLING. There are 20 breakout sessions presented by scientists, artists and museums for all to attend and interact with professionals in their fields.  New breakouts added this year will include Water For People and Water.org.  Also, Illinois American Water – a major sponsor of this event for over 20 years – will offer a mobile education center with hands-on water testing.

Teachers are encouraged to make the Clean Water Celebration a field trip. The Clean Water Environmental Classroom meets Illinois Learning Standards for ELA, Science and Social Science as well as Common Core ELA Standards and are listed for your convenience in planning your day. To register, please visit www.sunfoundation.org or call Karen Zuckerman at 309-697-1325.  

About The Clean Water Celebration
The Clean Water Celebration is unique event with a goal to impress upon students and the public the importance of watershed protection and water conservation. The Clean Water Celebration is a joint effort between The Sun Foundation, an arts and science education group in the Tri-County area, and the Rivers Project, a high school program.   More information can be found at www.sunfoundation.org.          

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Local High School to Win a SMART Board in 5th Annual Recycle Your Style Contest

Methodist Offers Free Informational Heart Program

Yesterday's Says Goodbye to the Past: Welcoming the Next Generation of Schramm | Pekin Restaurant Week 2023