BOWLING GREEN, Ohio - The Northwestern Water and Sewer District (The District) recently awarded $1,250 in grant funding to Perrysburg Schools. These grants, known as Water And Environment Teacher Education Resources (WATER) grants, aim to support educational programs focused on water resources. By providing direct funding to educators, the grants enable local teachers to share the vital importance of water and environmental stewardship with their students in science and other classes.
In 2024, The District will allocate over $9,000 to local schools within our service area for water-focused educational initiatives. These programs will teach students about water quality, sustainability, and responsible water usage.
Douglas Miller, District Board Chairman, presented Lesley Stout, a third-grade teacher at Toth Elementary School, an $800 WATER grant to purchase supplies for a rainwater collection project. During this project, students will assemble a water collection system, filter, and test pH levels of the collected water. The project aims to teach students self-sustainability and emergency preparedness using water.
Miller also presented a $450 WATER grant to Hull Prairie Intermediate School teacher Ethan Jessing. Jessing will use his grant to purchase supplies to demonstrate the use of fish wastewater to culture tomato plants in the classroom. This project supports a larger school initiative called Project RIPPLES, Responsible Initiatives for Preservation Protection Learning Environment Sustainability.
The WATER grant program was introduced by The District in December 2014, driven by a strong desire to give back to the schools and communities it serves. By fostering educational awareness about water resources and environmental sustainability, The District furthers its mission-based commitment to responsible environmental stewardship.