For Immediate Release: 2/19/2014 Montgomery County, WSSC to Host Fourth Annual H2O Summit; Family Fun, Learning, Free Activities to Focus on Protecting Water Quality The Montgomery County Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission (WSSC) will host a free, family-friendly, H2O Summit on Saturday, March 22 from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Silver Spring Civic Building, One Veterans Plaza. Participants will learn how their actions affect local streams and rivers and how they can get involved in protecting drinking water. Additional event partners include Montgomery Parks, the University of Maryland Extension and the cities of Gaithersburg and Rockville. “Montgomery County is committed to remaining a national leader when it comes to cherishing our natural resources,” said Bob Hoyt, director of the County’s Department of Environmental Protection. “For us, protecting our local waters, like the Potomac River, has always involved the teamwork of government and the public. The County and WSSC host the H2O Summit to ensure that this team continues to perform at the highest level.” “The H2O Summit is a free, family-friendly event that will inspire and engage the community in protecting our watershed,” said Susan Dorsey, WSSC community outreach coordinator for environmental education. “At its core, WSSC is an environmental organization, focused on maintaining the health and cleanliness of our region’s waterways. This event provides a tremendous opportunity to interact with the public and share this common concern.” The morning session will run from 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and feature guest speakers from local nonprofits, government and universities. Advance registration is required. From 1 to 4 p.m., a water-themed festival will offer hands-on science activities, live music, games and other activities for all ages. Nearly 40 local organizations and green vendors will have interactive displays and information, which last year included a watershed pinball game, stream animals and an electric vehicle. This year, a morning workshop will be offered to teach attendees how to assemble and maintain a rain barrel. At the end of the workshop, participants will be able to take their rain barrel home. The workshop is hosted in partnership with the local nonprofit, Granito de Arena. Advance registration is required. Register for the morning sessions or the rain barrel workshop online. For more information about the Summit, contact Ryan Zerbe at Ryan.Zerbe@montgomerycountymd.gov or 240-777-7744. # # # Release ID: 14-077 Media Contact: Esther Bowring 240-777-6507

http://www6.montgomerycountymd.gov/apps/News/press/PR_details.asp?PrID=13414

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