Fantasmic! Celebrates 10 Years
Page 4 of 17

Roy E Disney steps up to the microphone again.

Disney: Well, I couldn’t have said that better myself and you wouldn’t have wanted me, too, either.

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But these students did much, much more than work to halt the flow of trash and chemicals into local storm drains for in their efforts to protect the local wetlands they found many inventive ways to educate, their peers, their parents, their community and the world at large. So here to tell you more about their project in greater detail is the State Superintendent of Public Instruction and a very good friend of all of ours Deliane Eastin.

State Superintendent of Public Instruction Deliane Eastin.
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Eastin: Well thank you Roy. Jiminy Cricket's Environmentalilty Challenge inspires our young people to tackle real world environmental problems take responsible actions to improve the situation and evaluate the results. They are also charged with educating their peers on their findings. The students then chronicle their efforts and submit a portfolio describing their project. Once submitted distinguished judges from the K12 alliance evaluate all the regional portfolios to pick the first place winners for each of the 11 superindents regions, then the California Environmental Education Interagency Network selects the grand prize winner from the pool of eleven first place winners. This amazing group of students really took the challenge to heart.

The name of their project is “Every Wetland Counts” and as you’ll learn in just a moment that’s a bit of an understatement. California’s central valley once held over 5 million acres of wetlands. Today only about 6 percent remains and there has been severe decline and bird and other wildlife population in the central valley. These children also learned that the wetlands were important because they absorb rain water and prevent flooding. In other words without a wetland in the Central Valley acting as a giant sponge of sorts the rivers and lakes would overflow and flood. Los Banos where these students live is unique in that it is surrounded on three sides by wetlands and wildlife. This represents the largest contiguous wetlands in the entire West which is home to waterfowl that often travel as far away as Siberia. Historically whenever the wetlands are infringed upon by construction or contamination the environmental effects not only the resident animals and plants but also the migratory wildlife who later travel to all parts of the globe. These children realized that while they couldn’t reverse decades of human infringement in the wetlands they could have a dramatic effect on the remaining acreage. So they embarked on their special projects designed to preserve the wetlands and educate others on their importance. They created a website that described the wetlands in detail including the many species of fish, wildlife and plants that live in these habitats. They painted stenciled warnings on storm drains throughout their community informing the public that any waste dumped into the drains leads directly into the wetlands. They created door hangers which they personally distributed across town informing residents about their efforts. They created a mural displayed in town. This mural was both artistic and instructional in nature depicting the wildlife and plants that exist because of the wetlands and ultimately they presented all of their findings to Los Banos city council. As you can see these inspired students reached out to many people and what began as a fun exercise truly grew into a worthwhile project that will benefit our earth for years to come. Students, we thank you for your remarkable work. Congratulations!

It is my privilege to welcome to the podium, the board chair of the California Integrated Waste Management Board Linda Moulton-Patterson.

Board chair of the California Integrated Waste Management Board Linda Moulton-Patterson
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Moulton-Patterson: Thank you Deliane. I’m delighted to be here to celebrate the accomplishments of a very special teacher and her students. On behalf of the state of California and its 18 agencies that comprise the California Environmental Education Interagency Network I have heartfelt congratulations to you. We thank you for working to preserve and protect the natural beauty and diverse resources of our state. I know that by following the example of caring and dedicated students like you the dream of a brighter and more beautiful tomorrow will come true. You are to be congratulated for your earth spirit that has a truly made a difference. Governor Davis wishes he could be here to personally offer his appreciation and congratulations and asks me to share with you this proclamation. I invite Mrs. Sparks to join me at the podium. On behalf of the state of California, I present Miano Elementary School with this proclamation in honor of you and your students. I know you’ll display it proudly. Congratulations!