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Adopt-A-Stream |
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It's up to all of us to keep Virginia's rivers, streams, lakes and bays among the nation's best. That's the idea behind DCR's Adopt-A-Stream Program (AAS). The waterway cleanups supported by this anti-litter campaign provide a chance for local businesses, civic groups, watershed associations, churches, schools, environmental concerns and scouts to work together or separately to do their part. The statewide program aims to reduce litter while advancing citizen stewardship and understanding of the commonwealth's precious waterways. Adopt-A-Stream promotes education, public outreach, citizen involvement, partnership and community capacity-building through Virginia's diverse constituencies. Waterway adoption - You need to get your hands a little dirty to truly learn about nature. Waterway cleanups provide that prospect. A few hours collecting litter from a local shoreline establishes a link between citizens, community waterways and their watersheds. You see firsthand how your cleanup work improves a waterway's quality and appearance. You feel good about your work, become a caretaker of a local waterway and assume a watershed-based stewardship ethic. By signing up for DCR's voluntary, do-it-yourself Adopt-A-Stream program, your group agrees to at least one, preferably two, cleanups per year for at least two years. The minimum length of shoreline a group can adopt is one-quarter mile. A team of two typically covers a mile of lightly littered shoreline in an hour or two. Many groups opt for two cleanups a year, one in the spring and another in the fall. DCR helps by providing trash bags, gloves, safety vests, first-aid kits, hand-sanitizer, and instructional and promotional documents. DCR also gives each group custom signage featuring the adopted waterway and organization. Storm drain stenciling - Another way AAS volunteers serve their community is by making fellow citizens aware of stormwater runoff pollution by stenciling storm drains. Many people mistakenly believe stormwater runoff is treated before emptying into nearby waterways. These brightly painted messages remind residents of the link between streets and a waterway's health. It's a community effort with lasting effects. DCR provides the necessary stenciling tools for free. The kit includes the items mentioned above plus MylarŪ stencils, a whiskbroom, and blue or white spray paint. The stencil reads, "Dump no waste, drains to (river/stream/lake/bay)." The stencils are available in English and Spanish. Helpful hints, getting started
To learn more . . . For more information, contact the Adopt-A-Stream coordinator at (804) 692-0148, email adoptastream@dcr.state.va.us, or write: Virginia Adopt-A-Stream Program |
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