Cocker Kids Foundation funds new NFRIA program, the "Youth River Awareness Initiative"

NFRIA was recently awarded full funding by the Cocker Kids Foundation for the initial phase of our "Youth River Awareness Initiative" (YRAI).

The YRAI is an opportunity for the North Fork Valley community to instill a sense of river and resource responsibility into local youth. In an agricultural community, proper stewardship of water and other natural resources is especially vital. By partnering with local school teachers, as well as the local libraries, NFRIA hopes to reach the maximum number of children.

"The greatest gift we can give to our children is knowledge that allows them to be stewards of their natural environment," said Rhonda Duclo, Delta County Libraries Assistant District Director. "Our Make a Splash and Make a Wave youth summer reading programs are meant to provide quality, fun, natural resource education to children in the area. NFRIA's program is a perfect fit because it provides the educational materials - including about twenty-five children's books that deal with resource awareness - and the local professionals necessary to teach effective water stewardship."

NFRIA recently added "education and outreach" to our organization goals. We believe community awareness is the only way to ensure that our vibrant natural resources will be available to future generations. The YRAI is our first major effort to have a long-term positive influence on local youth.

One of the highlights of this program is the newly purchased Enviroscape. This reusable model of a watershed is a hands-on, interactive learning experience that uses colored drink mixes and cocoa to illustrate how residential areas, storm water, transportation, recreation, agriculture, and construction all can contribute significantly to water pollution.

On June 24th, representatives of NFRIA will be presenting at Crawford and Paonia libraries. Be on the lookout for a date at Hotchkiss Library.