Program pumps up future water watchersLifeWise Community Press Releases: May 10, 2004
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By Rochelle Stewart rstewart@seacoastonline.com HAMPTON - In 1999, Bruce A. Montville EE, a longtime Hampton resident, began a program to teach schoolchildren throughout New Hampshire the importance of water resources and the role they play in preventing water pollution. The program, "Future Water Guardians of NH," earned Montville the title of New England’s 2004 Drinking Water Environmental Educator from the Environmental Protection Agency. The EPA presented Montville with his award on Wednesday at the 2004 Drinking Water Festival at the Littleton National Guard Armory. Future Water Guardians of NH was developed through Montville’s private nonprofit business, LifeWise Community Projects. LifeWise trains local volunteers in the basics of hydrology, drinking water resources and source protection. Montville said he is pleased to win the award. Over the past five years, Montville said he believes he and his co-workers have been able to reach more than 9,000 students because of the popularity of the program. According to Montville, the program is able to provide free presentations to students in third through eighth grades through a grant from the Department of Environmental Services. Montville said he believes the future of the environment is in the hands of children. "We are going after the younger crowd who are the future policymakers," he added. During an interactive presentation, students are required to take a test before the presentation and the same test after the presentation. "The knowledge gained (by the end of the session) is impressive," he added. Nicole Clegg, education coordinator with the DES, nominated Montville for the award. In her nomination, Clegg writes, "I have been continuously impressed by (Montville’s) passion for helping students understand the role that they play in protecting New Hampshire’s drinking water resources." Al Wong, an environmental protection specialist with the EPA, said the purpose of the award is to "recognize educators, especially teachers, who do exceptional work during the calendar year." Wong also notifies local public water systems of the award recipient’s work. "The purpose of the award program is to strengthen the relationship between the public water system and the schools in the area," Wong added. |
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Bruce A. Montville EE
President & CEO
President & CEO