Wisconsin residents are invited to attend the state�s first groundwater festival on Saturday, May 10, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point (UWSP).

All activities in the area behind Debot Center on Isadore Street will begin on the hour. Young and old alike are welcome to attend at no cost.

According to Denise Kilkenny-Tittle, groundwater guardian coordinator for the Wisconsin Groundwater Center, people will have an opportunity to learn about protecting and conserving Wisconsin�s groundwater. Festival events throughout the day include hands-on activities, a kid�s tent (crafts and games), presentations (well drilling, landscaping, grassroots activism and more), exhibit booths, food, tours of UWSP�s water and environmental analyses laboratory, and entertainment by local singer/songwriter Tom Pease from noon � 1 p.m.

On Friday, May 9, the Wisconsin Groundwater Center will also be the lead sponsor for groundwater "school day" on campus. "Over 600 fifth and sixth graders from all over the state will take part in the festival and attend one or more of four learning sessions," said Kilkenny-Tittle. "Our goal is to educate students about precious groundwater and how individuals can make a difference in keeping groundwater clean and plentiful for this and future generations."

The four education tracks for Friday�s festival include groundwater and you, groundwater/surface water connections, pollution solutions, and energy solutions. Some of the schools planning to take part in the festival�s Friday events include McKinley and Madison schools of Stevens Point, Sacred Heart of Custer, Adams-Friendship Middle School, Parkview of New London, Tomahawk Elementary, Port Edwards Elementary and Lincoln Elementary of Madison.

Festival in-kind and/or financial contributions are coming from all over the region. Contributors include UWSP, a grant from the Wisconsin Environmental Education Board, Wisconsin Center for Environmental Education and College of Natural Resources at UWSP, the Wisconsin Groundwater Association, WIFC-Midwest Communications, Eco-Building and Forestry, Healthy People Portage County, McCain Foods, the Bill Cook Chapter � Izaak Walton League, village of Plover Water Utility, Forth-Van Dyke and Associates, Project WET (Water Education for Teachers) and other donors.

Festival planners are seeking more volunteers and/or exhibitors. Those with questions on the festival may call Kilkenny-Title at (715) 346-2722 or by e-mail at gwguardian@uwsp.edu. Further festival information can be found on the Web at www.uwsp.edu/cnr/gwguardian/wigg/fest.htm.

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