Each month we will be featuring the outstanding work that our CWEP Partners are doing to keep our stormwater clean around the region and in your communities. This month we’re focusing on Chapel Hill and their robust stormwater program. Check out their fun local events educating their community about the importance of clean water!
2017 FestiFALL!
The Chapel Hill FESTIFALL was held on October 1, 2017. Participants were able to interact with Chapel Hill stormwater staff and get watershed smart!
During the FestiFALL, the Chapel Hill Stormwater Management’s booth had three stations:
- Find Your Watershed on the local map;
Jason Salat, Chapel Hill Stormwater Management, helps a resident find her address on the map and identify the subwatershed in which she lives.
2. Learn about pollution sources and how we can prevent water pollution with the Enviroscape watershed model;
Visitors of all ages learn about stormwater runoff and how we can prevent pollution through the Enviroscape watershed model activity.
3) Take a Pledge and get your photo taken with Grandma Beaver!
Jayden and Pedro promise not to litter to keep our water cleaner and get their pictures taken with Grandma Beaver.
PERFECT WEATHER, PERFECT TEAMWORK!
The annual litter cleanup on Bolin Creek was held on Saturday, October 21, 2017 was a lot of fun for the 47 volunteers who learned about the watershed, then spruced up a public housing community and paths along the creek with removal of about 500 pounds of trash. The 75% reduction of trash from a year ago was significant and illustrated better awareness and care of our environment as well as no recent flooding.
Perfect fall weather helped participants enjoy nature while working together during the cool morning. Many thanks go to the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Schools’ Blue Ribbon Mentor Program, Chapel Hill High School Student Environmental Education Coalition, Carrboro High School AP Environmental Science students, Chapel Hill Police Department and academy recruits, Stormwater Management’s volunteer stream monitors, Chapel Hill Public Housing staff, and families and friends who wanted to lend a helping hand!
The only litter returned to the ground was a piece of wet cardboard under which two marbled salamanders guarded their eggs, waiting for a rain to hatch. Click this link to learn more about these critters!
For more information about Chapel Hill Stormwater Management and the work they are doing to keep our water clean and healthy, contact Wendy Smith, Community Education Coordinator, at 919-969-7246.