World Water Day Virtual Events
On March 22, the United Nations World Water Day, Philippe Cousteau Jr.’s EarthEcho International and Xylem Watermark invited people everywhere to be part of a global movement to protect critical water resources by participating in the EarthEcho Water Challenge. This year EarthEcho celebrated virtually through a week-long series of educational events and reached a total of 8,018 participants! These events featured opportunities for communities to connect to their local water resources through water quality monitoring and the implementation of projects designed to protect local waterways. The World Water Week Student Forum (March 22-26) began with collaborative learning through presentations from EarthEcho’s Water Challenge Ambassadors exploring the importance of our freshwater resources and how to test surface water. Midweek we hosted webinars with water science experts and Xylem employees featuring presentations and panel discussions on water scarcity, careers in the water industry, and the future of water sustainability. We closed the week with the true student forum days where participants connected with peers and identified next steps to protect their local water source and take action beyond monitoring.
EarthEcho Water Challenge Ambassadors
World Water Day 2021 also marks the continuation of the EarthEcho Water Challenge Ambassadors program. Young environmental enthusiasts ages 14-22 are invited to apply for the program beginning April 1. Coordinated by EarthEcho International’s Youth Leadership Council (YLC), the Water Challenge Ambassadors will increase knowledge of local water resources throughout their communities by leading citizens through water quality monitoring events and water restoration and conservation programs. To learn more about this year’s Water Challenge Ambassadors, visit http://monitorwater.org/ambassadors.
Partners
Water Challenge partners around the country are holding water monitoring and conservation activities as part of this year’s events. 2021 partners include Conservancy for Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Denver Public Works, EarthX and the Loggerhead Marine Life Center, Love a Sea Turtle, Luanda International School, Ocean Protection Advocacy for Kids, Oregon State University and Surfrider Foundation Student Club.
