(Miami-Dade County, FL) -- The Miami-Dade Water-Use Efficiency Program (WUEP) recently sponsored a poster contest aimed at engaging children as ambassadors of water conservation. The "Every Drop Counts" Poster Contest, which was open to all elementary school-age children (grades K through 5) in Miami-Dade County, was a remarkable success. A total of more than 1,000 entries were received from students residing in each of the County's thirteen districts. The success of the contest is attributed in part to the introduction of a new children's mascot, "D-rop", who challenges them to save water … one drop at a time.

"The primary goal of this poster contest was to encourage Miami-Dade children to use their creative talents to promote water conservation," said Maribel Balbin, Manager of the Miami-Dade WUEP.  "The extra added bonus that results when children become excited about a venture such as this one, is that they become involved in their community, thus learning civic responsibility, they learn about sustainability - that we have to think not only of ourselves but also about future generations, and interestingly, they become the watchdogs for their parents' behavior". The overwhelming response demonstrated that it was an excellent tool to build on the development of a new ethic towards our water resources."

For more information on the projects of the Miami-Dade Water Use Efficiency Program and for ways on how you can save water and money while contributing to protecting our water supply, please visit: http://www.miamidade.gov/conservation/