In 2015, the residents of Hot Springs rallied to earn the City a second-place finish in the 4th Annual Wyland National Mayor’s Challenge for Water Conservation. For 2020, the City hopes to do even better and win the 9th Annual event in the category for cities between 30,000 and 99,999.
Between August 1-31, 2020, Hot Springs residents can pledge to save water at www.mywaterpledge.com. In doing so, they will add to Hot Springs’ total pledge count and can nominate a charity in Hot Springs for a chance to win a new-generation 2020 Toyota Highlander XLE Hybrid. Each participant will also be entered to win from thousands of eco-friendly prizes, including $3,000 toward their home utility bills, home irrigation makeovers and environmentally-friendly cleaning products. Only cities with the most residents making pledges will qualify for the more than $50,000 in prize drawings.
“Water is such a precious resource, and in Hot Springs sometimes we can take that for granted,” said Hot Springs Mayor Pat McCabe. “We are surrounded by beautiful lakes and we have had an abundance of rainfall this spring, so we may forget to think about conserving water and the need to always be judicious in our utilization of water. Water is such a vital natural resource, and it doesn’t come free. Please join me by registering at mywaterpledge.com. We can all do more to conserve water.”
The annual Wyland National Mayor’s Challenge for Water Conservation is relaunching in August as part of national water quality month after the program was postponed in April due to the coronavirus. The program, presented by the Wyland Foundation and Toyota, encourages residents across America to make small changes in their lives to better manage our water resources and improve the health of our ocean, lakes, rivers, streams and wetlands.
In the wake of the current pandemic, the campaign will provide residents with more opportunities to get involved safely from home, including making water-friendly lifestyle changes on behalf of their city, undertaking home-based environmental projects that add up to cleaner, safer communities, and sharing tips and strategies with friends and neighbors. Last year, mayors from 39 states encouraged residents to make more than 740,000 pledges to promote drought resiliency, protect watersheds and reduce stress on aging water infrastructure.
“It’s more important than ever to maintain smart habits that support the health of the world around us -- especially when it comes to our water and air,” said marine life artist and conservationist Robert Wyland. “If COVID has taught us anything, it’s that we can change behaviors for the benefit of everybody.”
The national launch will take place on August 1, with the introduction of a suite of social media video releases featuring water-saving tips from celebrities, including Pearl Jam’s Eddie Vedder, hip hop’s Pitbull, comedian Jon Lovitz, actor Pierce Brosnan and Wyland. Teachers working remotely are also encouraged to engage their students to take part by accessing a special section of the website to make a series of water-saving commitments with their classes and win classroom supplies and gift cards for their schools.
The non-profit campaign, which has included numerous live events, educational tours and hundreds of city-led activities over the past decade, is presented in association with The Toro Company, EPA WaterSense, National League of Cities, Conserva Irrigation and Earth Friendly Products (makers of ECOS). The Challenge encourages residents to follow their city’s progress throughout the month and to use that information to encourage friends, neighbors, businesses and civic groups to get involved.
About the Wyland Foundation
Founded in 1993 by environmental artist Robert Wyland (best known for his series of 100 monumental marine life murals), the Wyland Foundation, a 501c3 non-profit organization dedicated to promoting, protecting and preserving the world’s ocean, waterways and marine life. The foundation encourages environmental awareness through community events, education programs and public art projects. Visit www.wylandfoundation.org for more information.