Get Ideas to Host a Local Stormwater Week Event
During Wisconsin Stormwater Week (September 21 - 29, 2024), municipalities, community or neighborhood organizations, local environmental organizations, and other partners can actively contribute to stormwater awareness by organizing local events and activities.
Check out the ideas below for organizing a local Wisconsin Stormwater Week event:
Storm Drain Adoption: Create a storm drain adoption campaign to encourage community members to take responsibility for maintaining and keeping storm drains clean in their neighborhoods. Participants can sign up to "adopt" a storm drain and commit to keeping it free from debris, leaves, and other potential blockages. Already have a storm drain adoption program? Encourage adopters to clean the street near their adopted drain.
Cleanup Event: Organize a community-wide cleanup event where volunteers come together to remove litter and debris from streets, parks, and waterways. This helps prevent pollutants from entering storm drains and improves the overall cleanliness of the community and our waterways. Want to clean the waterways? Volunteers can remove trash, debris, and invasive species from local waterways to improve water quality and restore natural habitats.
Rain Barrel Workshop: Conduct a workshop to educate residents on the benefits of rain barrels for collecting and utilizing stormwater. Teach participants how to install and maintain rain barrels, promoting water conservation and reducing stormwater runoff. Encourage your community members to join our “Managing Water Where it Falls” webinar on Tuesday, August 8 at 12 PM.
Rain Garden Planting: Collaborate with local schools, garden clubs, or community centers to organize a rain garden planting event. Choose a suitable location and guide participants on the selection and planting of native plants that help absorb stormwater and filter pollutants. Make sure to tune into our “Managing Water Where it Falls” webinar to learn more details on how to install a rain garden.
Storm Drain Stenciling: Coordinate a storm drain stenciling activity where volunteers stencil educational messages near storm drains. This raises awareness that the drains connect directly to water bodies and encourages individuals to prevent dumping waste into them.
Community Presentations: Arrange informative presentations by experts or local officials on stormwater management practices, pollution prevention, and the importance of responsible behavior. You can host these presentations at community centers, libraries, schools, or other locations. Have a scheduled municipal meeting? Dedicate time on the agenda for a presentation to elected officials and community members.
Household Hazardous Waste Dropoff: Organize a designated day for residents to safely dispose of household hazardous waste materials, such as chemicals, paints, and other hazardous waste. Proper disposal prevents these pollutants from entering storm drains and contaminating local waterways.
Youth Art Contest: Host an art contest focused on stormwater awareness. Encourage young artists to create artwork highlighting the importance of clean water, pollution prevention, or stormwater management. Display the artwork in community spaces to raise awareness.
Nature Walks, Paddles, and Guided Tours: Organize guided tours, paddles on a local waterway, or nature walks that highlight the importance of local waterways and their connection to stormwater runoff. Educate participants about the impacts of pollution and the steps they can take to reduce their environmental footprint.
Remember, these are just a few ideas to kickstart local initiatives for Wisconsin Stormwater Week. Engaging the community and fostering a sense of responsibility towards stormwater management is key to creating a lasting impact. Collaborate with local organizations, leverage social media platforms, and encourage active participation to make the week a success. Together, we can raise awareness, educate, and inspire action for cleaner and healthier water resources in Wisconsin.
Hosting a local event?
Submit your event details so we can track what is happening around the state and tell others how to get involved!