Lofton, urban watershed resilience advisor, spurs community action to mark Water Awareness Month
May is Water Awareness Month, a special time for Californians to come together in celebration of water, our most essential shared resource. Across the state, water agencies and providers are hosting lively events, such as poster contests and family-friendly activities, that promote conservation and spark curiosity.
“Now is a great time to visit your local water provider’s website to learn how you can get involved,” said Esther Lofton, University of California Cooperative Extension urban watershed resilience advisor for Orange, Los Angeles, Riverside and San Bernardino counties.
Earlier this May, Lofton and her team actively engaged eight groups of 12th-grade students from Orange and Los Angeles counties. As part of a GROW Program event at UC South Coast Research and Extension Center in Irvine, she brought water science to life by exploring the intricacies of filtration systems and the remarkable journey water takes to reach our taps.
Lofton’s colleague, Daniel Gonzalez II, energized the sessions by demonstrating parts of the filtration process and guiding students through hands-on activities.
Students were surprised to learn about the complexities of water sourcing. "I didn’t know we import water from as far as Colorado!" one of them said.
To foster a sense of ownership and responsibility, Lofton encouraged the approximately 280 participating students to make personal pledges for water conservation. Their enthusiastic responses included promises to turn off the tap while brushing their teeth and to fill washing machines completely before use.
One memorable moment came when a student humorously stated: “I will drink less water!”
Lofton chuckled and reminded the class: "If your body needs it, I encourage you to drink more water – that’s the only exception!"
Orange County grade schoolers wowed by ‘magic’ of water science
Lofton and her team also attended the OC Children’s Water Education Festival, hosted by the Orange County Water District in late April, where they captivated more than 1,600 enthusiastic third- to fifth-graders.
Over two days at Oak Canyon Park, the educators conducted 13 interactive sessions, each with approximately 45 students, guiding them on the extraordinary journey water takes from source to tap while reinforcing the importance of conservation.
The enthusiasm of the young crowd was palpable, with many exclaiming “this is magic!” as they watched water flow cleanly from the filter.
“I really try to ignite a sense of responsibility in this next generation about their critical role in sustainable practices,” Lofton said.
Beyond the classroom, Lofton and Gonzalez also amplified their message through social media and blog posts, creating opportunities for community feedback and questions.
One resident from Santa Barbara asked: “If California cares about protecting water, why are they also building more houses?” This inquiry stimulates essential discussions about finding the balance between growth and sustainability.
Lofton is keeping the conversation going by inviting community members to participate in a brief survey and share their personal water conservation pledges.
“We all live in watersheds, and every small action contributes to a greater impact,” Lofton said. “By making a pledge, you’re not only contributing to a more sustainable future, but you’re also helping lead by example.”
Selected pledges will be featured in next year’s Water Awareness Month celebrations, highlighting the meaningful ways individuals are making a difference.
To learn more, explore Lofton’s latest blog post on Water Awareness Month. You can also follow her journey and access additional resources on Instagram, TikTok, and X, or visit her UC ANR SoCal Water Resources website, which features engaging resources on drinking water, water resilience, water use efficiency and more.