Education an Irvine Ranch Water District Hallmark

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Contact: Shannon Reed, Public Affairs Manager
reeds@irwd.com, (949) 453-5500

Classroom Programs, Community Tours, Workshops and a Speaker’s Bureau Round Out IRWD Education Programs

Irvine Ranch Water District has provided innovative student water education programs in schools throughout our service area since the mid-1970s. In addition to programs for kindergarten through 12th grade, IRWD has educated the community through tours of our facilities, hosted workshops and seminars and offered expert speakers to local organizations.

“IRWD has been at the forefront of water education for decades,” said Interim General Manager Paul Cook. “Lifelong learning has a tremendous impact on a community.  IRWD provides a wide array of classroom and community education programs focused on understanding and promoting water and environmental stewardship.  This is one of the many ways IRWD is working to ensure that our water resources are protected for generations.”

In the Classroom

In 1984, IRWD needed a helper to teach water education, so Aqua Duck made his debut. He quickly became a beloved mascot symbolizing water awareness. In 2008, IRWD partnered with the Discovery Science Center to provide high-quality education programming. The grade school programs feature assembly style presentations, focusing on science, water, conservation and preventing pollution. Aqua Duck continues to play a role in the IRWD education programs and is featured in the interactive workbooks distributed to students.

Middle School students participate in a hands-on workshop series that focuses on water chemistry and environmental resources. The highlight of the program is a field trip to the San Joaquin Marsh for a tour, water quality testing, a lab demonstration provided by IRWD scientists and a virtual video tour of the Michelson Water Recycling Plant.

Specialized programs are available for high school and college classes. IRWD works with teachers and professors to provide customized lessons on a variety of subjects including environmental science, water quality, water conservation and efficiency and engineering.

Twenty Years of Resident Tours

IRWD keeps the public informed and educated through the IRWD Always Water Smart tour program, which began in 1991. Tours include a discussion of water sources, water supply issues, IRWD allocation-based conservation rate structure, water use efficiency and conservation, water quality, the water distribution system and more. Attendees participate in a bus tour highlighting specific District projects and a walking tour of the IRWD San Joaquin Marsh. The District also offer customized tours for community groups, service clubs and professional organizations.

Workshops and Webinars

IRWD has offered residential landscape workshops to teach our customers how to have beautiful gardens while saving water and lowering their water bills for almost 30 years. In 1982, the District partnered with the Irvine Historical Society to establish the demonstration Water Conserving Garden at the Irvine Historical Museum. The Garden has been home to many landscape workshops. Over the years, the workshop offerings have grown and evolved and have become mainstay of IRWD programs.

Today IRWD is using the latest technological tools to educate our community. The District now offers webinars that provide tips on irrigation and implementing water-efficient landscapes. Amateur gardeners and landscape professionals can get the benefits of attending a workshop from the comfort of their homes or offices. Additionally, IRWD offers a variety of educational YouTube videos about California friendly landscapes, water conservation, and other topics through the District website. (LINK)

Experts to Go

IRWD provides educational speakers to community and service organizations to present and discuss key water issues. This service allows the District to create a two-way dialogue between IRWD and the public.

Fostering Lifelong Learning

The IRWD San Joaquin Marsh and Marsh Campus, is the embodiment of IRWD’s dedication to education and serves as a living classroom for the community. The campus provides a variety of venues and teaching opportunities, including the butterfly garden, the Audubon House, the IRWD Learning Center, IRWD Visitor’s Center and the Natural Treatment System Ponds.

For more information, please visit the Community Programs section of IRWD website.

Discovery Science Center provides programs for middle school students.
Discovery Science...
Engineers will visit classrooms to demonstrate their fields.
Engineers will vi...
Always Water Smart Resident Tours are Designed to Inform.
Always Water Smar...

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