The St. Lawrence River Institute of Environmental Sciences has received $5,000 from Shell Canada to improve and upgrade the activities and materials for the Eastern Ontario Children’s Water Festival. Jeff Villeneuve, Cornwall Terminal operator, and Benoit Mondor, Terminal superintendent, were pleased to present the cheque to the River Institute.

“The Eastern Ontario Children’s Water Festival is a great program for young people to learn about water resources, water energy, and water conservation,” says Villeneuve. “Shell is proud to support local environmental programs that promote these values.”

The next Water Festival takes place at the River Institute on the grounds of St. Lawrence College Sept. 30 to Oct. 2, 2009. For three days, local students will splash their way through 30 activity stations, each of which delivers an important message about water. From the importance of low-volume toilets to the effects of oil spills on wildlife, the young participants learn to appreciate the importance of water in our daily lives. “By taking part in hands-on activities, these kids learn important facts about water,” states Jordan Kevan de Haan, education coordinator at the River Institute. “The Water Festival attracts school groups from across SD&G—we expect approximately 250 kids each day!”