"Everyone of all ages should go visit these guys. It's really amazing!"
"The organization's passion for children AND their families is infectious. It was a brilliant day!"
The WaterWorks Center for Environmental Education is the nation’s only water treatment plant reopened as an environmental learning center for kids. Water from nearby Flint Creek is still pumped through the facility. Children get to see firsthand where their water comes from and how it can be treated. The old water treatment cells have been converted to wetlands water treatment cells to illustrate to children how wetlands work to purify water naturally. We want children to not only learn about the natural world, but also to learn about sustainable technologies and practices that can improve our environment. The building now operates entirely off of sustainable energy. Children also get to go canoeing at nearby Flint Creek, where they can learn team-building with their canoe partners and see wildlife firsthand. Keep reading to learn more about our field trip stations.
"This week we sent our son here. I knew he had learned something when he started explaining dragonfly behaviors & identifying bugs by name. Awesome!"
"Highly recommend it!"
Tree Canopy: Children get to burn off some energy at our tree canopy! Our rope wall challenges kids physically as they ascend to the upper platform where they can get a bird’s eye view of the forest. Children learn about native plants and animals that live in the woods, as well as the importance of trees in climate control, air quality, erosion prevention, and more!
Canoeing: Many kids who visit us have never canoed before. Seeing the look of accomplishment and joy on their face as they learn how to navigate their canoe across the water is priceless. After a tour packed with information about sustainability and the environment, they have the opportunity to learn a new skill that they will remember for the rest of their lives!
Green Roof: Our green roofs provide excellent insulation for our building, reducing electricity needs, in addition to providing extra growing space for beautiful flowers and delicious strawberries. Kids can say they have tasted strawberries grown on a roof!
Turtle Exhibit: Have you ever seen a snapping turtle up close? What kinds of habitats do different turtles prefer? What types of turtles are native to the Southeastern United States? Children can learn the answers to these questions and many more at our interactive turtle exhibit!
Freshwater Aquariums: Our freshwater aquariums are designed to mimic local streams and creeks. Children can get a different perspective of what our creeks look like under the water, and what local and native species call them home.
Wetland Cell Water Treatment: When the water treatment plant was operational, it housed several water treatments cells, or containers, that treated and stored water at different stages during the treatment process. Now, those cells have been converted to wetlands to illustrate to children how wetlands purify water naturally and recycle nutrients
Interactive Wetlands Cells: We converted old water treatment storage cells into interactive wetland cells where kids can learn about the importance of wetlands while they search more creatures like crayfish, salamanders, tadpoles, dragonflies, and more! Hunting for critters has never been so fun AND educational!
Powered by Solar Energy: Children learn about solar powered energy and how solar panels can reduce the need for fossil fuels which can harm the environment. Older kids can be introduced to the idea of carbon credits, which can yield monetary profits for the owners of solar.
Vermiculture (AKA Worm Composting!): We compost our office paper waste. Worms can greatly speed up the composting process and break down nutrients so they are more easily added to soil. Kids can learn about the environmental benefits of compost and the role of nature in degrading materials to recycle naturally.
Classroom: Students have the chance sit down and look at fossils, marine invertebrates, microscopic water life and other educational activities in our more traditional classroom at WaterWorks.
Porous Pavers: Our parking lot is full of porous pavers that prevent harmful stormwater runoff from entering streams by allowing water to soak into the soil underneath the parking lot, instead of just flowing over the surface. Kids learn about how stormwater runoff affects local streams and marine life.
The best kind of learning happens when learning is fun. Book a field trip now!