The Water Resources Education Center is an excellent (and free!) place in Vancouver to learn about how to care for and make wise decisions about water.
The Water Resources Center opened in February 1996 as part of the Columbia River Water Renaissance Trail project to help encourage local residents to enjoy the waterfront. City of Vancouver officials opted to use the space to educate residents about water usage and sewage treatment as the city grappled with managing infrastructure with a growing population.
The Water Resources Education Center was constructed as part of a $40 million bond package for a sewage treatment plant construction. The Center, which is part of City of Vancouver Public Works Department, gets funds from the utilities of Vancouver’s water, sewer and storm water. They also receive additional grants and private donations, as well as money from event space rentals. The beautiful Water Resources Center has helped so many Vancouver residents gain awareness about water, sewers and more. It is also near the Columbia River which encourages people to get out and walk along the river.
The Water Resources Education Center is focused on teaching people stewardship and to help protect and conserve the water resources. The mission of the Water Resources Education Center is to teach people of all ages how to better care for and make wise decisions about water.
As you walk into the Center, you quickly find yourself in the exhibit hall, a room full of educational resources for every visitor. There are bikes that power electricity and exhibits featuring frogs, sturgeons and more.
On the wall, there is information about the salmon lifecycle and even a history lesson about the flooding of Vancouver. Anything water related is featured at the Water Resources Education Center. The Center has many hands-on activities in the exhibit hall, including a place to make a watershed using sand and special lights. Many people learn best by using their hands so this exhibit is very effective for teaching.
Hanging from the ceiling is a huge glass ball with a video playing inside focused on “The Story of El Nino.” The unique shape of the video captures the attention of children as it can be viewed from all sides.
A large exhibit is dedicated to mercury. There is a picture of the mercury cycle, showing how mercury circulates through air, water, soil and living organisms. I found it interesting to learn that 80% of mercury contamination is caused from human activity. It is made by such things as burning fossil fuels and solid waste incineration.
As you round the corner there are life-size models of the stomach, lungs, brain, nervous system and kidney. There are explanations of how mercury can enter your body and additional information about the dangers of ingesting mercury.
Environmental education is also a part of the Water Resources Education Center. There is a section about recycling and a photo board that of how various items affect the environment.
In the “From Well to Faucet” exhibit, visitors can push a button to watch lights show water’s route to your home.
At the end of the education center there is a play area for young children called Puddles Place with magnets, puppets, puzzles, blocks and eco-friendly books.
Above the interactive, educational area are classrooms for field trips for students K-12. The educational field trips include a 45-minute presentation, followed by hand-on experiences to conduct experiments, observe and form conclusions. The center is currently in the process of creating the classes to align with Next Generation Science.
Water Resources Education Center offers activities throughout the year. Every second Saturday of the month kids and their families can explore a different topic through hands-on activities, games and stories.
Step outside the center and enjoy the fountain, trees, trails and nature. Extend your visit with a picnic in Marine Park.
After a visit to the Water Resources Education Center, you will probably walk away having learned something new.
Water Resources Education Center
4600 SE Columbia Way
Vancouver, WA 98661
Admission is free. The Water Resources Education Center is open from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. on weekdays and 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. on Saturdays. It is closed on Sundays.
To find a list of things to do at the Water Resources Education Center, click here.
