The afternoon was spent in the field testing water quality predictions the teachers had made for Natividad Creek in the earlier session. The Sanctuary has loaned its hands-on watershed model, and WOW provides whale bones, otter pelts, and other materials for children to touch and feel. Students learn about nonpoint source pollution and how animal life is impacted by water pollution. Two such displays, patterned after a permanent exhibit at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, have been purchased by the Cities of Santa Cruz and Monterey. They will be available to check out, and may also be set up for a number of months at a time in local libraries and schools.
Adults love it, too.
The display looks like a catch basin on the outside. Finally, the display reminds people about easy ways to keep oil out of the marine environment, such as recycling motor oil, keeping your car well-maintained, and carpooling. The brochure contains a four-color illustration of how everyday activities in the watersheds can affect water quality, and simple steps to reduce their impact. It describes Sanctuary habitats, explains the connection between land and sea, and points out the impacts humans have on the marine environment. It also provides an overview of the WQPP and tips about what everyone can do to help keep Sanctuary waters clean.