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Playa Festival

Through hands-on activities and outdoor learning we educate 5th graders, their teachers, and communities about the water cycle, the Ogallala Aquifer, wastewater management, and looming global challenges focusing on our region’s unique playa basins. The realities of High Plains water aren’t always easy to see, so our Playa Festival makes it come alive for students with demonstrations and field trips that show playa basins, flora and fauna, local watershed carved by draws and creeks, and the Ogallala Aquifer in real-life situations, not just in books. The ecological keystones of our region’s water cycle are an estimated 30,000 playa basins. We may not have rivers, but the Southern High Plains has more playas than anywhere in the world! Playas are often dry, which is normal and natural, but when filled with water after heavy rains, playas become supercharged oases of life! Though ignored and neglected, playas are among the most important and most endangered wetlands in North America. Playas also provide the main recharge to the Ogallala Aquifer, and are vital to local ecosystems and economies. Our Festivals are interdisciplinary three-day programs designed to fit the school day. Students learn about playa ecology and the water cycle through science, history, biology, art and creative writing. Click Here to See Specific TEKS Addressed

Teacher Resources

We have gathered some fun lesson plans, activities, website links and more to help you educate your students about playas, water conservation, wetlands and natural resources. Also, we have a playa festival blog (www.playafestival.blogspot.com) to keep you updated on playa festival events and contributions from teachers who have participated in our program – feel free to have a look and leave a comment!

Website Links
The Sibley Nature Center – photo essays and more
NRCS Earth Team Volunteers
EPA interactive wetland map.
Ogallala Aquifer Maps, Kevin Mulligan, Texas Tech University
City of Lubbock Conservation Education Program

Lesson Plans
Wetland Metaphors
I Toad You So
Measure a Playa
How to make cheese from silver leaf nightshade


How do i Have a Playa Festival at my School?

1. Contact the Festival Director Darryl Birkenfeld, Ph.D.,
Ogallala Commons (office) 806-945-2255 (cell) 806-336-1713

2. Obtain school administration approval

3. 5th grade teachers must attend a training workshop (Link to Conservation Education Days)

Conservation Education Days

The purpose of our Conservation Education Days is threefold. We hope these one days events educate participants about playa wetlands, their ecological services, and learning opportunities, inform participants about the link between playas and recharge of the Ogallala Aquifer, and offer information about federal programs for playa conservation, as well as resources for grazing management techniques that can improve playa habitat.