Water

we drink it, we bathe in it, we use it for cooling, we use it for recreation

and many of us get our electricity from it.

So, how do we know that there is enough water for all of these needs and is it safe for us to use?

The Alabama 4-H Center near Columbiana will be hosting a 4-H Environmental Stewardship Conference on March 27 – 29, which will include information on what a watershed is, how to test water quality, how water quality really affects your community and how teenagers can participate in determining water policy.

The conference also will provide information with skills you need throughout life and how to work with others who have different viewpoints. The workshop will help participants identify and prioritize such issues as debating, negotiating, team building, public speaking, problem solving and concensus building.

The workshop also will provide hands-on experience in working with people who deal with water quality issues daily, and learn about watersheds and their management, including the use of global positioning systems (GPS), water chemistry, topography, stream locations, soil types, vegetation patterns, animal life, developing management plans and college and career opportunities.

An exercise involving problem solving using real-life issues currently facing Alabamians also will be a part of the program. Other activities including orienteering with GPS, a roping course, wall climbing and rappelling, visiting with raptors and snakes, a boat trip on Lay Lake and other recreational activities will be offered.

You do not have to be a current 4-H member, but to attend, you must be 14 – 19 years old and currently enrolled in school. Contact the Butler County Extension Office for more information at 382-5111.