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DRBC Teaches Pollution Prevention at Temple Ambler's EarthFest

DRBC staff enjoy and appreciate the opportunity to get out in the field and interact with the public. Last month on April 20, DRBC staff braved wind chills in the low 30s to share their expertise at Temple University Ambler’s EarthFest, a free, annual outdoor celebration geared for kids of all ages showcasing hands-on learning activities.

Over the years, DRBC has been a frequent EarthFest exhibitor and was proud to again participate this year, using its Enviroscape Model to teach about different sources of water pollution. The model is always a hit with kids, especially younger children, as it demonstrates in a visually engaging way the connection between land and water and what we all can do to help keep our waterways clean.

Hosted by Temple University Ambler, EarthFest is held on Ambler's campus and celebrates Earth Day by promoting environmental awareness and protection using sustainable concepts, methods, and practices. This year’s EarthFest attracted over 5,000 students and featured more than 75 different exhibits. To learn more about EarthFest, please click here; a recap of the 2018 event can also be found here.
DRBC's Denise McHugh uses the Enviroscape Model to show kids what happens on farms when farmers don't follow best practices for manure storage - it ends up in the river when it rains! Photo by DRBC.A large group of students watches DRBC's Kate Schmidt as she demonstrates how non-point source pollution, for example fertilizer, runs off the land and into our waterways when it rains. Photo by DRBC.Exhibitor tents line the field at EarthFest. Each organization represented brought a different interactive activity with which to teach students about the environment. Photo by DRBC.The Enviroscape Model shows various sources of non-point source pollution and also point-source pollution. DRBC's Donna Woolf demonstrates how waste from a factory is a point-source of pollution, that, while permitted, can affect our waterways. Photo by DRBC.
Kids fill the field at EarthFest, enjoying their lunches and playing in the sun. Photo by DRBC.DRBC's Donna Woolf uses the Enviroscape Model to show a group of students how storm drains are connected to waterbodies. When it rains, it all goes down the drain, so it is important to not throw trash or other things, like motor oil, down them! Photo by DRBC.A group of young students watches our demonstration closely. Photo by DRBC. DRBC's Kate Schmidt talks with a group of students about pollution from construction sites and why they use special fencing to prevent sediment (dirt) runoff into waterbodies. Photo by DRBC.This was one of - if not the - largest group of the day! DRBC's Denise McHugh concludes her presentation by asking what they think they can do to help prevent pollution from entering our waterways. Not littering was the #1 answer. Great job, kids! Photo by DRBC.