'Wetland, Wonderland' theme for 10th annual Groundwater Festival | Events

TROY – Nearly 500 Pike County fourth graders will learn about water resources and conservation on May 2 as Troy University presents the 10th annual Pike County Groundwater Festival.

The University's Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences and others in the College of Arts and Sciences will host the event, beginning at 8:30 a.m., in the Math and Science Complex on the Troy Campus.

The students will be representing some 19 classes from Banks School, Goshen Elementary, New Life Christian Academy, Covenant Christian School, Pike County Elementary, Pike Liberal Arts and Troy Elementary.

Faculty and students from TROY's College of Arts and Sciences will present activities such as "Edible Aquifer," "Water Bracelet" and "Drop in a Bucket." In addition, an artwork competition is incorporated as a part of the festival, said Janet Gaston, a health professions advisor who helps coordinate the event.

"Students in participating schools have been challenged to submit artwork displaying using their imaginations and expressing their ideas on this year's theme, "Wetland, Wonderland," Gaston said. "A winner is selected from each participating class, as well as an overall winner. The event will conclude with an awards ceremony in which we will present certificates to the artwork winners and participating students and teachers, as well as express our appreciation to our event sponsors."

In addition to other activities, students will have the opportunity to visit an Alabama PALS (People Against a Littered State) booth to learn ways they can help keep their neighborhoods and communities litter free.

Students representing Goshen High School will join Troy University students to serve as volunteer escorts for the attendees. Funding and in-kind support for the festivals come from grants provided by various agencies and local donors, including Alabama Department of Environmental Management, Legacy® Partners in Environmental Education, Choctawhatchee, Pea, and Yellow Rivers Watershed Management Authority, Pike County Water Authority, Choctawhatchee Riverkeeper, FoodWorld, Alabama PALS, Pike County Extension Office, City of Brundidge, and City of Troy.

Information Source: Troy University