These new books are making environmental education fun for local students

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Big lessons about protecting our environment could start with something as simple as a coloring page.

That’s the idea behind a new series of Clean Water Awareness Activity Books from Jefferson County, designed to help elementary students learn that even the smallest everyday choices can make a big difference for clean water.

For years, Jefferson County’s Stormwater Program staff have worked to educate residents about environmental issues, with a special focus on reaching younger audiences. Now, they’re bringing those lessons into the classroom through a week’s worth of fun, age-appropriate activities for students in Pre-K through fourth grade.

Raising better, smarter stewards of Alabama’s environment

By helping kids understand what happens after they throw something away or flush it, Jefferson County hopes to encourage habits that stick—and empower a new generation of clean-water champions.

The books feature five educational characters who guide students through lessons about:

• Litter
• Clean water
• Stormwater 
• What happens to the things we throw away or flush

The activities are also aligned with state-level educational standards and incorporate important vocabulary students are expected to learn.

The books are intended to be a conversation starter—students and teachers will have opportunities to share feedback, allowing the County to continue improving the activities and making sure the lessons are both effective and engaging.

Showing the impact of littering + flushing trash on the ecosystem

At the heart of the activity books is a simple message: Your actions matter. That includes the things you throw away—or flush down the toilet.

Only toilet paper and what the toilet is designed to handle should go down the drain. Items like sanitary wipes belong in the trash because they can build up in pipes and cause blockages in the sewer system. Those clogs can mean costly repairs and can contribute to sewer overflows that harm the environment.

The books reinforce this idea through relatable lessons, like the message in What If Everybody Did That? which explores what could happen if everyone carelessly littered without thinking, helping students understand how individual choices can add up to a bigger impact on their community and environment.

The creeks, streams and rivers around Jefferson County are places where people fish, play, explore and connect with nature, and they’re also part of the water systems that provide our drinking water.

By learning how their everyday choices can affect these shared spaces, students can start building habits that help keep them clean for everyone.

Making education fun + interactive for Jefferson County kids

Creating the activity books has been a collaborative effort, including a partnership with the Jefferson County Board of Education.

Dr. Walter B. Gonsoulin Jr., Superintendent of the Jefferson County Board of Education, understands the importance of teaching students personal responsibility when it comes to what goes down the drain and what ends up in our waterways.

Working with the Board of Education has helped the Stormwater Program incorporate state educational standards into the books while also giving County staff the opportunity to communicate directly with teachers.

That partnership has helped make the books more helpful to the students who will use them.

The first book is already complete: The Kindergarten Activity Book will make its way into classrooms this fall. After teachers and students use it, County staff will collect feedback and make any needed adjustments before continuing the series for other grade levels.

See what else is going on around Jefferson County, from educational initiatives like this to career resources, road work updates + more.

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