New program aims to teach Bend students the ins and outs of city water supply, conservation

(Update: Adding video)

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ)-- The Upper Deschutes Watershed Council and the City of Bend have launched a new partnership to educate elementary and high school students about our water.

"One Water" will teach students about where local water comes from and ends up, and about water conservation.

 Lessons will be taught both in the classroom and in the field, with field trips to local rivers and creeks and city water facilities. The city will also be partially funding the program.

"It's extremely important, extremely valuable for students to connect with our rivers and streams -- connect with our watershed, really, in order to help them develop a sense of place, so they know the landscape where they live and what's happening in the natural world," said council Education Director Kolleen Miller.

The watershed council plans to use this first year of the program to test the curriculum with teachers and students, in hopes of signing a multi-year contract with the city.

The program will launch this spring at Caldera High School and Miller Creek Elementary.