Rosslanders may have noticed a few ‘fish out of water’ recently attached to the fences outside of the MacLean Elementary School.

All 206 students at the school were taking part in a province-wide project encouraging awareness of water stewardship in the local watershed.

The project gives the kids an opportunity to paint a fish-shaped block of wood in one class before moving over to another class where they were taught the first steps in water consciousness.

“At this age, I think the kids are very impressionable and this way of teaching is a very tangible way to help them understand the importance of water and its place in our lives,” said Jen Vogel of the Rossland Water Stewardship Task Force who helped organize the event.

“The artistic part of it is important to leave a lasting legacy that people will see every day they drive by the fences, it’s a constant reminder of how important clean water is.”

Representatives from the Streams of Dreams organization were in town from Nelson to run the first event in Rossland.

The Streams of Dreams programs was born out of an event that happened in Byrne Creek, Burnaby, in 1998 when someone dumped toxic material into a storm drain. Around 5,000 fish died in the creek along with all the plant life, within a year buildings at the head of the creek were demolished and a chain link fence was built around the rubble.

Long-time resident Louise Towell and her daughter were so affected by the event they decided to bring the attention of the community to the creek by organizing children in the community to paint 5,000 wooden fish and attach them to the fence.

The project was eventually formed into an official organization and has now had in the area of 80,000 participants since 2000.

“It’s key to think about where water comes from, where our water goes after our drains and it’s empowering for the kids to learn about it,” said Monica Nissen with the Streams of Dreams Nelson who has been teaching in the Kootenays for the past three years.

“We try to tie in the effect water has on animals and humans, you can’t really start too early on this kind of education.”

For more information check out www.streamsofdreams.org.