The Lake Champlain Basin Program, Champlain Centre Mall, and the Champlain Basin Education Initiative invite the public to participate in a World Water Day Celebration on Saturday, March 18th beginning at 11 AM. Shoppers may view student works about local water resources and interact with more than 20 organizations which will host exhibits and hands-on activities celebrating water resources.
“We’re excited to co-host this in-person World Water Day Celebration with a whole group of enthusiastic partners,” said Sue Hagar, Education and Outreach Steward for the Lake Champlain Basin Program. “The groups are hard at work every day to improve water resources for both drinking water and recreational uses including boating, swimming and fishing, all while encouraging folks to get involved in personal stewardship actions to improve the watershed.”
World Water Day was initiated by the United Nations in 1993 to draw attention to the issues and threats surrounding the world’s water resources. Ten years ago, the Champlain Basin Education Initiative hosted the first local student World Water Day Celebration to share student work about water resources from more than a dozen classrooms. This year Champlain Centre helped to expand the event and bring it to Plattsburgh, inviting more public participation and partners into the celebration.
“Champlain Centre is excited to share our retail space for this water-themed event,” said Emily Moosmann, Marketing Director for the Champlain Centre Mall. “Come meet the water resource specialists, and explore the thoughtful projects completed by students. Join in some fun activities while learning about our amazing watershed.”
A special showing of No Other Lake, a locally produced 39-minute film, will air at Regal Cinemas at 11 AM. This event is FREE for the public and the film producer will be present to introduce the film and answer questions.
Mall guests will be able to explore how river systems flow and how streambanks erode during flood events through a hands-on model, dive deeper into aquatic invasive species and learn why the round goby poses a threat to our ecosystem, participate in a youth art project, complete quests on a giant watershed map of the Lake Champlain basin, explore how scientists interpret science through art in the Wool and Water exhibit, learn how to protect drinking water supplies and extend the life of their septic systems through proper maintenance, explore new lawncare practices, learn about cyanobacteria, practice casting for fish, and more.