Water conservation packets to be passed out to county kids

With the start of the 2016-17 school year right around the corner, a group of organizations are getting together to educate some of the younger students on being water smart.

Utilities, Inc., the Southern Nye County Conservation District and the Nye County Water District are providing Nye County first and second graders with water conservation packets for the third straight year.

Over 800 packets were delivered to the school district to distribute to the students, which offer activities for them to carry out while learning about saving water.

“What we’re trying to do is getting the kids to think about water conservation,” said Debby Woodland, water conservation coordinator at Utilities, Inc. “Giving them ideas on things that they can do to help.”

There are various items that are aimed at having kids fulfill activities while learning water-saving techniques.

“There is a coloring book with water-saving tips in it and the other is an activity, again with water conservation tips,” Woodland said. “Also in there is a pencil, a wristband, an eraser and a water conservation ruler.”

Woodland said some of the youngest students in the school district are targeted for this campaign because they are eager to absorb as much information as they can.

“I love working with children and at that age, the kids are just wonderful,” Woodland said. “They want to learn as much as they can and it’s just a great age to work with.”

The goal is to get the future of Nye County thinking about saving water, especially in a drought-stricken area.

“Hopefully, this helps set the stage for them, learning that water conservation is very important,” Woodland said.

Contact reporter Mick Akers at makers@pvtimes.com. Follow @mickakers on Twitter.