Rio Vista Elementary School is hosting its eighth annual Environmental Awareness Day on Friday, which is a chance for students to learn about the importance of respecting their surroundings, and how they interact with them.

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“The goal of the Environmental Awareness Day is to enlighten students on some of the issues that we deal with, such as the need to conserve water and to preserve natural resources, said Linda Valdes, a sixth-grade teacher at the Saugus Union School District elementary.

“Students will have sessions all day long based on their grade level,” she said, including several Santa Clarita Valley agencies such as the CLWA and the Placerita Nature Center among the presenters.

Rio Vista alum Michael Welch, an actor from the “Twilight” series, is set to discuss The Thirst Project, which seeks support for water purification efforts in third world countries.

Dianne Erskine-Hellrigel of the Community Hiking Club also plans to give a presentation on what “hiking etiquette” for the environment, which students will be able to test. The school’s proximity to the Santa Clara Riverbed means school officials are able to provide unique hiking trips for the special occasion.

Santa Clarita Valley water officials will also be giving a presentation on the importance of water conservation.

Valdes began the event back in 2006, after a trip to Washington D.C. in which she learned about the advocacy of environmental awareness for high school students through the National Hispanic Environmental Council.

“I thought, ‘Man, you could start with the younger ones, and you can really make an impact

and promote the environmental sciences involved in environmental groups,” Valdes said.

She wanted to use her K-6 teaching experience to help students connect with environmental causes and concerns at a younger level, which was how the event got started.

The city of Santa Clarita’s Environmental Services Department, Friends of the Island Fox and  Newhall Land will also be giving presentations.

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