Water Agency Partnership Sponsors Ranching Museum Garden.

Business Editors/City Desks

WEST COVINA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 22, 2002

A hundred years ago, San Gabriel Valley children wouldn't need to look far to find a corn-husker to turn, a cider press to crank or a butter churn to drum away at. Those things were likely part of their daily chores. Things have changed in the valley. Long gone are the walnut and orange groves, but an historical link can still be found where children can sample the farm tasks of their predecessors.

The Hurst Ranch Historical Center, located at 1227 S. Orange Ave. in West Covina, is a hands-on, child-friendly museum that depicts early 20th century ranching in the valley. Today, the museum received a financial boost in the way of a unique three-agency, public/private partnership. Suburban Water Systems, the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California and the Upper San Gabriel Valley Municipal Water District today contributed $4,500 to help fund a new irrigation demonstration garden at the center.

Targeted to grade school students, the garden will provide visitors with a glimpse into irrigation techniques from days gone by and compare them with today's conservation-minded irrigation.

"By visiting the garden, students will gain a fuller knowledge of where their food comes from and how it can be grown more efficiently using water-saving irrigation methods," says Andra Simmons, the center's children's education program coordinator.

According to Mike Quinn, president of Suburban Water Systems, which provides water to more than 300,000 Southern Californians, including the Hurst Ranch, such educational demonstrations are worthy features, especially in the dry Southland region.

"Water is a finite resource, and ingraining a strong conservation ethic into our young people will help ensure there's enough to meet the needs of a region that continues to see high population growth," says Quinn.

USGVMWD Director Anthony R. Fellow, who represents the district on Metropolitan's board of directors, agrees that the center offers just such an opportunity. "This isn't a place with cordoned off exhibits. It's a place where children can touch and try out ranching equipment of a time gone by."

Metropolitan's contribution comes through its Community Partnering Program that awards funds for water-related projects that educate the public about conservation, quality and reliability. More than $1 million has been awarded to community projects since the program began in 1999.

Through its 26 member public agencies, Metropolitan imports water from the Colorado River and Northern California to supplement local supplies, and helps its members to develop increased water conservation, recycling, storage, and other water-management programs. The district supplies more than half of the water used by 17 Southern Californians in six Southland counties.

While at the center, visitors can visit the interactive museum loaded with equipment and memorabilia of the time. Children can even climb aboard an antique tractor.

"When you come here, you will hear a dynamic story of early ranching and community development," says Simmons, "and you'll leave with a sense of pride in our ranching heritage."