Greeley Mayor John Gates joined mayors across the country for the 10th Anniversary of the National Mayor’s Challenge for Water Conservation in asking residents to make a long-term commitment to manage water resources more wisely. In return, residents could win $3,000 toward their home utility bills, water saving fixtures, and hundreds of other prizes. Plus, one lucky charity from a winning city will receive a 2021 Toyota Highlander Hybrid to serve the community.
“As a leader committed to efficient use of natural resources, I support this friendly competition to remind people of the importance of conserving water and other natural resources,” Gates said.
The annual challenge runs April 1- 30, This non-profit national community service campaign encourages leaders to inspire their residents to make a series of simple pledges at mywaterpledge.com to use water more efficiently, reduce pollution and save energy. Ten years a handful of mayors started the program while looking for alternative ways to engage their residents more deeply about the coming water challenges in the United States.
Last year, residents from over 2,000 cities in all 50 U.S. states pledged to reduce their annual consumption of freshwater by over 1 billion gallons, reduce waste sent to landfills by 29 million pounds, and prevent hundreds of thousands of pounds of hazardous waste from entering watersheds. The challenge goes beyond short term issues and looks at the ways our water use will affect the future of our communities — from managing our coasts, lakes, and rivers to reducing polluted runoff.
To participate, residents can go to mywaterpledge.com, and then make a series of voluntary online pledges to conserve water on behalf of Greeley. Cities compete against other cities similar in population and geographic locations.
Gates encouraged students and teachers to take part, as well.
“The website has classroom activities and projects that can fit into your curriculum,” said Ruth Quade, water conservation administrator with the city of Greeley. “Parents, turned educators, this may help supplement those of you doing home education right now. Activities range from water science to art, nature and creativity”
For teacher resources, go to https://wylandfoundation.org/programs/teacher-resources.
Charities can get involved by registering their organization and getting the work it out to their community to win the Toyota Hybrid by going to https://wylandfoundation.org/programs/charities.
In more than 10 years of participation, Greeley always finishes in the top five rankings and Gates wants like to finish in first in 2021.
“Not only are you doing your part for Greeley, you could win prizes like paid utilities and more,” Gates said.
The foundation also created a new digital tool called MyVolunteer Water Project, in support of the program that gives residents a unique way to do hands-on home, community, and workplace projects year-round in support of their city’s sustainability efforts. The more projects residents do throughout the year, the better the chance a city wins the mayor’s challenge in April.
The 10th Anniversary National Mayor’s Challenge for Water Conservation is presented by the Wyland Foundation and Toyota, with support from the U.S EPA WaterSense, The Toro Company, National League of Cities, Hobie Surf and Petal.