Squam Science Science Center to host water issues workshop on March 12

HOLDERNESS — Squam Lakes Natural Science Center is creating a major new trailside experience called the Water Matters Pavilion that will open in the summer of 2016. Paired with this project will be various workshops offered, the first being held on Thursday, March 12, during Plymouth State University's annual Water Week. The free workshop is at 3:30 p.m. in Boyd Hall, room 144. Squam Lakes Association (SLA) will be on hand to share information about local water issues.

Funding for the Water Matters Pavilion is from the Science Center's almost completed $4 million Nature Matters capital campaign. The Water Matters Pavilion will house almost 20 exhibits, including live animals - mink, turtle, warm and cold water fish - and will use water as a theme to teach about water cycles, watersheds, threats to water, and water as a resource.

To build excitement and awareness about water and the upcoming new Water Matters Pavilion, the Science Center is working with the non-profit organization Art for Water to create a three-dimensional Stream of Conscience art installation to be on display at the Science Center from May 1, 2015 through November 1, 2016. The Stream of Conscience project is made possible by funding from the Steinwachs Family Foundation.

Through visits to schools and with Science Center attendees, Art for Water Founder and Director Christine Destrempes and her associates will talk with groups about global and local water issues. Participants will be invited to help create the Stream of Conscience display. During the workshops, Art for Water staff members will give a slide presentation about global and local water issues, followed by questions and answers, ending with solicitation of written contributions with participants' thoughts and reflections about water. The resulting written-upon paper pieces will be formed into a river of thoughts that represents the interconnectedness of all life. By bringing people together in the making of public art, this project will also foster stewardship of water as a precious natural resource.

Other workshops are planned for local public schools and at the Science Center where members of the public will be able to view and add their thoughts with help from trained Science Center volunteers. A free adult summer lecture series starting on Tuesday, July 7 will focus on water issues as well. See the Science Center's website, www.nhnature.org, for events listings.