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A community workshop to kick off a stewardship-education project revolving around the Jordan River will be held from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Wednesday at NeighborWorks Salt Lake, 622 W. 500 North.

A second workshop is set for Aug. 28 at the same site.

The workshops are a joint effort of Salt Lake County's watershed planning and restoration program, the Jordan River Commission and the Center for Documentary Expression and Arts (CDEA). That team obtained a $60,000 grant from the federal Environmental Protection Agency to fund the project, formally known as "Reawakened Beauty: Place Based Learning on the Jordan River."

"The Jordan River is a treasure that all of us living along the Wasatch Front share," said Salt Lake County Mayor Ben McAdams. "If we work together to improve and maintain its water quality, safety and habitat, valley residents will be able to enjoy this asset for years to come."

Through its Urban Waters Small Grants Program, EPA funds research, training and demonstration projects that help restore urban waterways "through activities that also support community revitalization."

"EPA is excited to support strong local projects that increase residents' awareness of their watershed through engagement and empowerment," said Shaun McGrath, EPA's regional administrator. "Healthy and accessible urban waters enhance educational, economic and recreational opportunities in our communities."

In this program, the county-led team will reach out to the community through schools and local organizations to discuss water quality, recreation, ecology and ecosystem restoration, community building and human and natural history.

Wednesday's inaugural workshop will involve creating a website to "spread the word about the value and importance of protecting and enhancing the Jordan River," a county news release said. Information obtained in the outreach contacts will be added to the website and compiled into educational materials.

Additional information is available at http://JordanRiverCommission.com.

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