Mike Reed Named "NEW Watershed Champion 2015"
Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary Director Lauded for Innovative Nature-Based 4K Program
Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary Director Mike Reed was named “NEW Watershed Champion 2015” Friday for ushering in a new generation of water stewards.
Reed was honored March 20 during a World Water Day event hosted by NEW Water, the brand of the Green Bay Metropolitan Sewerage District, and the Green Bay Water Utility. The two water entities teamed up for the second year for World Water Day, a commemorative event launched by the United Nations in 1993 to bring awareness to global water issues. Globally, 783 million people do not have proper access to clean water and 2.5 billion do not have access to adequate sanitation. Local water issues include aging water infrastructure and impaired waterways.
“The Sanctuary’s nature-based kindergarten program is inspirational, and follows in the proud Wisconsin tradition of appreciation and conservation of our natural resources,” said Tom Sigmund, Executive Director of NEW Water.
Said Nancy Quirk, General Manager of the Green Bay Water Utility: “Educating our youth about water is paramount to creating total water solutions, which is necessary for the sustainability of our watershed.”
This is the second year the OAK Learning Center has been running at the Sanctuary. “The 4K program has been well received by the community and I’m very honored and grateful to be recognized,” Reed said. “The success of the program is due to our great partnerships with the Green Bay Area Public School District and the University of Wisconsin – Green Bay. Together, we created a 4K program that gives young learners a unique way to explore, discover and appreciate all aspects of nature from wildlife and native plants to ponds and lagoons.”
Wondering how to celebrate Wisconsin water? Find ideas here: #LoveYourWatershed
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To learn more about the Bay Beach Wildlife Sanctuary, please visit: www.baybeachwildlife.com
To learn more about NEW Water, please visit: www.newwater.us
To learn more about Green Bay Water, please visit: www.gbwater.org