What is the Award?

The award recognizes schools, colleges and universities that protect drinking water sources through educational programs, class projects or land management practices.  Awards will be given to elementary, middle, high school and college levels.  Winning schools receive an award accompanied by a prize.

What is source water and how is it protected?

Source water is water from streams, rivers, lakes and aquifers that eventually serve as a source of drinking water. Taking positive steps to prevent pollutants from ever reaching these sources can be more efficient and less costly than treating drinking water later. Schools can protect water through many ways, including:

• Educating students about the importance of clean drinking water sources
• Smart application of pesticides and herbicides

What is your school doing to protect drinking water?

Many schools in the Schuylkill River watershed incorporate creative educational programs and curricula to promote awareness of water protection among students and the community.  School districts may also incorporate innovative property management techniques like creating “no mow” zones along stream banks and using less or no fertilizers, or collecting rainwater to water plants.  Schools are one of the largest combined property owners in the Schuylkill River watershed.

What are the criteria for selecting winners?

Programs and projects should include significant student involvement, and those with additional community participation are given special consideration. Previous winning projects among all of the categories include hands-on water quality testing of local creeks; classroom discussions of environmental stewardship with journals, observational sketches and reflective essay assignments; student participation in creating a campus rain garden; and student-produced multimedia public service announcements.

*University Nominations:   Nominations in the university category are welcome for individual students, student environmental groups and campus clubs that empower students and communities on a grass-roots level to protect water quality and quantity for future generations. Nominations in the university category must go beyond traditional class instruction and meet the following criteria:

1. Provides opportunities for students, faculty, alumni and campus community to take an active role in preserving and restoring the environment
2. Yields an awareness of environmental concerns locally and internationally
3. Teaches students, faculty, alumni and campus community how to become meaningful advocates of the environment by example
4. Promotes insight of human cultures, animal and plant life, and their interactions with the environment and resultant impact to water quality and quantity

Who is eligible for nomination?

All schools, colleges and universities in the Schuylkill River watershed are eligible.  Not sure if you’re located in the watershed?  Contact us and we’ll let you know!  Please note that previous winners are not eligible to receive another award for 5 years, unless submitting a new project or program for consideration.

Nomination Questions (to be completed on registration form)?

• How many students were involved in the project?
• How does this project promote a clean and healthy Schuylkill Watershed?
• How were the students involved in this project?
• What benefit did this project have for your community?
• Please describe any partnerships that were formed or strengthened by this project.
• This project involved (select all that apply): 

1. community outreach
2. curriculum integration
3. multiple partnerships
4. on-the-ground restoration
5. student voice (kids got to have a say in the project)