Poland Spring's Hollis Plant Celebrates World Water Day

HOLLIS, Maine, March 22 /PRNewswire/ -- Poland Spring kicked off its celebration of World Water Day, March 22nd, with the delivery of Project WET classroom education kits to nearly 300 fourth graders in Maine School Administrative District (MSAD) #6. The classroom kits contain educational materials that help teach students the importance of water and using it sustainably. MSAD #6 includes elementary schools in the towns of Hollis, Buxton, Standish and Limington.

Poland Spring's Hollis plant, recently certified as a LEED Silver facility for environmental sustainability by the US Green Building Council, wanted to celebrate World Water Day and their new LEED status by emphasizing the company's ongoing commitment to educating Maine's next generation about managing and protecting our water resources.

Carol Weeks, MSAD #6's Assistant Superintendent of Schools, thanked Poland Spring for its commitment to community and support of environmental education. "It's impressive to find a company so focused on the community and education of our children. Poland Spring's efforts to promote water education helps make our community stronger and instills in children a sense of responsibility for protecting a vital resource."

Heather McBean, Poland Spring's Community Education and Outreach Manager, teaches Maine students about water sustainability in many of the company's host communities statewide. "Poland Spring has been a steward of Maine's water resources for more than 165 years," Heather said. "So helping to teach Maine kids about water quality, conservation, and the environment is important to us. It ensures that the next generation will have the knowledge and skills to protect our shared water resources well into the future."

Project WET (Water Education for Teachers), (http://www.projectwet.org/), is a national nonprofit water education program for educators and young people ages 5-18. The program facilitates and promotes awareness, appreciation, knowledge and stewardship of water resources through classroom-ready teaching aids and the establishment of internationally sponsored Project WET programs.

Poland Spring supports Project WET in many Maine communities, helping students appreciate and conserve water with a curriculum that is dynamic and uses hands-on water education.

The Project WET kit for each MSAD #6 fourth grade classroom includes a curriculum and activity guide for educators; a classroom water cycle poster; the children's book, Spring Waters, Gathering Places; activity booklets for every child including The Water Story, Conserve Water, Watershed Protection, Discover Ground Water and Celebrate Wetlands.

Heather McBean and other members of Poland Spring's water education team also use Project Wet materials in a variety of settings across Maine including:

    -- In the company's Trout in the Classroom/Brookie Buddies grade school
       program
    -- With visiting groups of students, teachers and parents who tour the
       Poland Spring Museum in Poland
    -- At water festivals in Orono and Portland sponsored by the University of
       Maine
    -- At Poland Spring's two annual "Make A Splash" festivals where 300 grade
       school kids participate in hands-on water education activities
    -- Upon request from teachers statewide

If educators would like additional information about Project WET and Poland Spring's other environmental education initiatives, they can contact: Heather McBean, Poland Spring's Water Education & Outreach Manager at 207.998.6483 or [email protected].

ABOUT POLAND SPRING: Since 1845, Poland Spring has been investing in Maine and creating good jobs using an abundant, renewable resource. Today, Poland Spring operates three bottling plants in Poland Spring, Hollis and Kingfield. The Kingfield facility, which officially opened in January 2009, represents a $60 million investment and 40+ new jobs in western Maine. Poland Spring operates additional spring sources in Fryeburg, Poland, Dallas Plantation, Pierce Pond Township and St. Albans. Currently, Poland Spring is investing $4.1 million in a new spring water station project in Fryeburg and Denmark, Maine. Today Poland Spring:

    -- Employs nearly 800 full-time and seasonal workers across Maine
    -- Has invested over $439 million in capital in Maine since 1992
    -- Provides about $40 million to the economy in payroll
    -- Spends $65 million directly with other Maine companies
    -- Has invested over $3.3 million in community giving since 2000 to
       support schools, fire and rescue, environmental conservation, and many
       local and statewide causes

For more information about Poland Spring in Maine visit www.PolandSpringWorksforMaine.com.

SOURCE Poland Spring