The Splash program began in February 1999 to fulfill two needs.
One was the need of a consortium of water agencies to build
awareness of Sacramento’s water resources and the public’s role
in their protection. The other was the desire of Eva Butler, a
local biologist, to encourage science education by introducing
children to vernal pools and streams. Splash emerged from their
common belief that nature inspires learning, and informed kids
can help protect water and habitat.
In 1997, Eva began volunteering at Crocker Riverside Elementary
to share the magic of vernal pools with her friend’s class of
fifth graders. With funding from the consortium, a small team of
local scientists and educators assembled to create two curricula
to meet the complementary objectives of science education and
water resource protection.
While the Splash classroom programs offer thousands of students a
once-in-a-lifetime chance to experience nature in our urban
environment, we believe that kids deserve multiple opportunities
to discover, explore, and connect to the living world around
them.
Our series of public programs give children and their parents
opportunities to explore the wildlands at Mather Field
with local scientists who love sharing what they know about
life in the great outdoors. These experiences at Splash can open
eyes, warm hearts, and expand minds to possibilities for future
pursuits.
For more details about the development of Sacramento Splash and
its programs, please visit milestones in Splash
history.
