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GUARDIAN COMMUNITY 6 <br /> During the past 25 years, there has been a rapid growth of concern about groundwater pollution <br /> and interest in groundwater protection activities.As a result, the Groundwater Foundation has been <br /> providing scientifically sound groundwater education programs to the public since 1984. <br /> Despite this growth in awareness and activity, groundwater champions are still needed. Groundwa- <br /> ter is the "forgotten" resource because by its very nature it remains invisible.Yet at the same time it <br /> is the environmental "bottom line." A community actively protecting groundwater is, at the same <br /> time, wisely managing its other natural resources. Foundation leaders believe that creative, interactive <br /> community-centered pollution prevention activities are important tools to perpetuate public interest <br /> in and activity on behalf of groundwater protection. Consequently, the Groundwater Guardian <br /> program has been developed to encourage, support and connect communities that want to take <br /> comprehensive, voluntary steps towards the protection of their groundwater. <br /> The Groundwater Foundation is uniquely qualified to lead this effort.The Foundation's focus is <br /> groundwater;with roots in one of the nation's most groundwater-rich states, Nebraska. From the <br /> beginning, the mission of the Groundwater Foundation has been to create an informed citizenry <br /> caring about and for groundwater.This mission remains unchanged. <br /> Towards this goal, the Foundation annually reaches thousands of people through innovative and <br /> engaging publications such as The Aquifer and the Children's Groundwater Festival. The result, <br /> citizens empowered by an increased level of understanding and ability to actively respond to the issues <br /> facing them and their communities. <br /> The Groundwater Foundation has been recognized by numerous national and international <br /> groups. In 1995, the Groundwater Guardian Program was chosen as one of 25 National Demonstra- <br /> tion programs by the National Nonpoint Source Forum sponsored by The National Geographic <br /> Society. Foundation President Susan Seacrest was a recent recipient of the USGS John Wesley Powell <br /> award. <br /> iv <br />