On March 22 & 24, the Silver City Watershed Keepers in association with Stream Dynamics will hold a two-day event for World Water Day.
World Water Day has been held on March 22nd annually, since its inception in 1993. The event was initiated by the United Nations General Assembly due to a concern over increased demand for water access, allocation, and services at the 1992 UN Conference on Environment and Development. World Water Day strives to bring attention to the importance of freshwater and the advocacy for sustainable management of freshwater resources.
This year's World Water Day theme, 'Nature for Water,' focuses on nature-based solutions to water challenges. According to UNESCO (2018), 1.9 billion people live in water-scarce areas. Most recently, Cape Town, South Africa, has been in the news for the countdown to "Day Zero" the day they shut off the public supply of water due to scarcity. Challenges like water scarcity, demand, and pollution can be mitigated with nature-based solutions like planting, water harvesting, and watershed restoration.
The community of Silver City already has individuals working with nature-based solutions to water challenges, and the Silver City Watershed Keepers would like to spend this World Water Day getting the public involved with these solutions.
Thursday, March 22, 6pm in the Parotti Recital Hall at WNMU, the organization will hold a community discussion focused on water issues in our community. The discussion will feature a TED Talk by regional water guru, Brad Lancaster as well as project presentations from local experts and students including Van Clothier from Stream Dynamics, Asher Gelbart from Rainwater Harvesting, Dave Menzie from Silver City Watershed Keepers, Raven Jackson WNMU student researching storm-water run-off, and more! Attendees are encouraged to participate in the discussion by bringing concerns or observations about local water management and should be prepared to problem solve with other members of the community. Solutions and identified problems will be compiled into a World Water Day Resolution for further action.
Saturday, March 24, 9am- 12pm at the Silver City Visitors Center, the Silver City Watershed Keepers will hold a day of service surrounding the theme "Nature for Water." Participants will meet at 9am at the Silver City Visitors Center and will have the choice of three workshop groups. Participants interested in learning how to plant native plants will work with Stream Dynamics and Lone Mountain Natives; those interested in Water Quality Monitoring will work Aldo Leopold Charter School Eco Monitoring Crew for the first quarter sampling of San Vicente Creek; and those interested in cleaning up the watershed will work with the Community Service Building youth group. All projects will end at 11:20 and those who wish to participate in a free yoga class in Big Ditch Park are encouraged to stay. Workshops are free, but please bring water, sunscreen, gloves, or any other materials you might need for the morning.
Created in 2010 by the Gila Resources Information Project, the Silver City Watershed Keepers is a citizens' water resources stewardship program that engages community members in protection and restoration of the Silver City Watershed.
Thank you to the Lineberry Foundation for support for this event.