Laguna Niguel Officials, 6th Grade Students Celebrate Success of Inaugural Ocean Institute/UCI Watershed Program

DANA POINT, CA, June 4, 2008 - The Ocean Institute and officials from the City of Laguna Niguel joined with students of Niguel Hills Middle School in Laguna Niguel to celebrate the successful conclusion of the inaugural Adopt-a-Class Ocean Institute/UCI Watershed program on Tuesday, June 3. On November 7, 2007, 410 Niguel Hills 6th grade students participated in a one-day program introducing them to the science of the watersheds, or land area that drains into a body of water, such as the ocean.

"I believe we've achieved our goal of impacting students and the communities in which they live, encouraging them to be good stewards of our environment," remarked Rick Baker, Senior Program Director of the Institute's science programs. "They've seen how pollutants, improperly disposed of, will negatively impact our beaches and oceans and their marine inhabitants."

Addressing the afternoon gathering was Laguna Niguel Mayor Paul Glaab, professional surfer Jeremy Sherwin and Bill Cooper, Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Director of the Urban Water Research Center at UCI.

The watershed program is presented annually to 5th graders. The 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.

The 6th grade program also included 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 took samples for Townsend-Small's research work; the scientist was available to consult with students.

The major sponsor of the watershed program is the Surf Industry Manufacturers Association. Other sponsors include CR&R Waste and Recycling Services and WaMu Home Loans, Laguna Hills Home Loan Center. Students and representatives from the Cities of Laguna Beach, Mission Viejo and San Juan Capistrano will be participating in the Ocean Institute/UCI Watershed program this fall. For additional information about the program, contact Jonathan Witt, (949) 496-2274, ext 330 or jwitt@ocean-institute.org.

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