Discover a Watershed Series Press Release FOR RELEASE: On receipt DATE: April, 2000 CONTACT: Discover a Watershed (406) 994-5392 The Watercourse and International Project WET (Water Education for Teachers), in collaboration with a variety of public and private organizations, announces the creation of the Discover a Watershed Series. Building on the success of watershed-based projects already established within the organization, the Series focuses on providing non-biased, high quality, and scientifically grounded educational materials. All works within the series are watershed-specific, meaning that topics addressed are tailored to individual watersheds. Key elements include: Discover a Watershed activity guides which are designed for use by teachers of students between the ages of 12 and 18, KIDs (Kids In Discovery Series) activity booklets, full color artistically designed booklets for kids between the ages of 8 and 12, and a variety of other publications for a broad range of ages and uses. Watersheds for which materials are available or are currently being created include: the Everglades (Available), the Rio Grande/Rio Bravo (Fall 2001), the Columbia (Spring 2002), and the Missouri (Winter 2002). The Colorado is under consideration. The Discover a Watershed Series is grounded in the belief that high quality and non-biased education will help students form a well-rounded understanding of contemporary issues and topics. Additionally, by providing students with a better understanding of issues related to the watershed within which they live, a bond may be formed between stakeholders within the watershed. This is particularly important because individuals and groups that may seem disconnected from one another are inextricably related by their mutual dependence on the rivers along which they make their homes and by the life-giving waters of these rivers. The goal of the Discover a Watershed Series is to facilitate and promote the awareness, appreciation, knowledge, stewardship, and understanding of watershed topics and issues through materials, training, and network support services. As Dennis Nelson, executive director of the Watercourse states, "the Discover a Watershed Series can be a powerful tool for anyone interested in teaching about water resource topics." Lissa Howe, a team member of the Discover a Watershed Series states that, "the comprehensive, interdisciplinary, and locally-relevant nature of the series helps students to make informed decisions about water-related issues." The Discover a Watershed Series, a program of The Watercourse and International Project WET, is headquartered at Montana State University. For more information, please contact the Discover a Watershed project office at (406) 994-5392 or by email at discoverawatershed@montana.edu.