Ocean Institute to Welcome Laguna Niguel
Officials, 6th Grade Students for New Ocean
Institute/UCI Watershed Program
DANA POINT, CA, October 25, 2007 - The Ocean Institute will welcome officials from the
City of Laguna Niguel and over 400 6th grade students from Niguel Hills Middle School in
Laguna Niguel on Wednesday, November 7, for the official launch of its new Adopt-a-Class
Ocean Institute/UCI Watershed program. The one-day program introduces students to the
science of the watersheds, or land area that drains into a body of water, such as the ocean.
"It's our goal to impact students and the communities in which they live, encouraging them
to be good stewards of our environment," remarked Jonathan Witt, who coordinates the program.
"They learn how pollutants, improperly disposed of, will negatively impact our beaches and
oceans and their marine inhabitants."
The watershed program is presented annually to 5th graders. This new, one-day version of
the program reaches out to 6th graders, with the help of the leaders of the communities in which
they live. Guests to the Institute on November 7 will include Gary Capata, mayor of Laguna
Niguel, Laguna Niguel city council members, other elected and appointed officials involved in
waste management and representatives from private firms in the field.
The 6th grade program also includes collaboration with UC Irvine scientist Amy Townsend-
Small, who analyzes the radiocarbon and stable isotopic composition of organic matter in river
waters. Ocean Institute staff members leading students in the program will be taking samples for
Townsend-Small’s research work; the scientist indicated that she would be available to consult
with students.
The major sponsor for the November 7th event is the Surf Industry Manufacturers
Association. Other sponsors include CR&R Waste and Recycling Services and WaMu Home Loans. Upcoming 6th grade watershed programs for students and elected officials in other
communities are being planned.
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