El Paso Girl Scouts are quenching their thirst for knowledge about water conservation, and earning a patch from the TecH2O Learning Center in the process.
Led by TecH2O staff members, Girl Scouts are learning more about where their water comes from and how to save it through a virtual workshop. The TecH2O Center is temporarily closed to visitors to minimize the spread of COVID-19.
Soaking up knowledge
Water Conservation Technician Alma Klages recently led 10 Scouts and leader Maria Cortes Gonzalez from Troop 50063 through a group activity. The girls built their own version of the winding Rio Grande.
As Klages explained how El Paso’s surface water supply depends on snow in Colorado and underground sources ̶ the Hueco Bolson and Mesilla aquifers – Girl Scouts unpacked the materials provided by TecH2O and began building their own historical versions of the meandering Rio Grande.
“I hope they walk away a little bit more confident in not only where their water comes from but the importance of conserving it,” said Klages, after leading the girls in a pledge to be water wise. “I hope they share it with their families, friends and fellow Girl Scouts, helping us to spread that message.”
Presentation makes a splash
Learning that the Rio Grande also serves as a border between the U.S. and Mexico, Girl Scouts enthusiastically took the rocks and plastic dinosaurs provided and gave them a home on either side of their makeshift river. The activity was a hit.
“I think it was great, awesome, fantastic,” said Shannon Elizabeth Stevens, a kindergartner at Myrtle Cooper Elementary School. “I loved it. I learned how to keep the water clean.”
“We really appreciate El Paso Water teaching our Girl Scouts in a fun and engaging way,” said parent Amanda Stevens. “Additionally, Alma brought in a cultural representation of the El Paso Borderland and the historical presence of water in our community.”
Troop leader Gonzalez knew the activity would be a success once she saw toy dinosaurs.
“I thought Alma did a great job of explaining how we get water in El Paso and its importance to our lives, as well as to animals and plants,” Gonzalez said. “She also mentioned that dinosaurs were in this region, and the girls put toy dinosaurs on both sides of their rivers. Our troop did a hike to Mount Cristo Rey in September and we saw dinosaur tracks, so the girls made that exciting connection.”
Water Conservation/TecH2O Manager Anai Padilla said staff members have been developing patches for area Scouts with a specific goal in mind.
“We would like to establish relationships with local Girl Scout troops so they can eventually volunteer for us and share our message,” Padilla said, adding that the TecH2O Center is also developing a new destination patch for Girl Scouts.
Padilla and the TecH2O staff encourage Girl Scout troops to learn more about water conservation and El Paso’s water resources by earning a patch.
For more information on the conservation patch, please call 915-621-2000 or email [email protected].