A small group of youth have found a perfect way to celebrate Earth Day. The 1st Brighton Pathfinders will be hitting Brighton’s Main Street this evening from 6 to 8 PM to raise awareness about preventing pollutants from entering local waterways.
Through the Yellow Fish Road™ program, the youth will be painting yellow fish near storm drains to serve as a reminder that any materials going down storm drains can have an impact on aquatic life, including plants, insects, fish and animals, as well as on people who depend on local water for a variety of uses.
“The girls decided they would like to do the Yellow Fish Road Program in partnership with Lower Trent Conservation as one of their service projects,” explains Holly Parsonson, leader of the 1st Brighton Pathfinders. “Hopefully by painting the storm drains and distributing information, we will be able to inform our friends and neighbours that anything that goes into the storm drains goes directly into local waterways and that we need to reduce our impact on the aquatic ecosystem.”
Storm drains are the grates found on roadways beside the curb. Rainwater and snowmelt drain into these grates, go through a network of underground tunnels, and end up in local waterways. This water is usually not treated to remove pollutants before it reaches the local watercourse. Storm drain runoff can include soap used to wash the family car, excess fertilizer applied to lawns, salt used during the winter, or dirt and oil from roads and driveways.
“Storm drains are doorways to our rivers, lakes, and streams,” says Marilyn Bucholtz, Communications & Outreach Coordinator for Lower Trent Conservation. “Preventing pollutants from entering our storm drains is critical to protecting and improving our watersheds, water quality, and aquatic habitat. The yellow fish images serve as a reminder that anything going into the storm drain ends up flowing directly into local waterways like Butler Creek, Presqu’ile Bay or Lake Ontario.”
In addition to painting yellow fish beside storm drains, fish-shaped brochures will be hung on doors in the community to inform residents of why yellow fish have appeared in their neighbourhood.
Yellow Fish Road™ is a nation-wide environmental education program designed and managed by Trout Unlimited Canada. Since 1991, thousands of Canadians have become leaders in their community by raising awareness about pollution entering local waterways through storm drains.
More information about the Yellow Fish Road™ Program is available at www.yellowfishroad.org, or by contacting Marilyn Bucholtz, Communications & Outreach Coordinator at 613-394-3915 ext 216.