|
Stream Clean Up |
| The Youngs Creek
Watershed Project & Indian Creek Watershed projects in cooperation with Johnson County Solid Waste
Department, Franklin Parks and Recreation, Franklin Department of
Public Works, and the Johnson County SWCD, held the annual stream clean up for a portion of Youngs Creek in
Franklin. Volunteers picked up trash between Blue Heron and
Province Park on Saturday, April 21, 2007. The morning concluded with a free lunch for
everyone involved. |
| Fall
Pond Pro Workshop, October 22, 29, November 5, Franklin
College |
| The Youngs Creek
& Indian Creek
Watershed Projects and the Johnson County SWCD, partnered with Franklin
College to host the Pond Pro Workshop. The Pond Pro
Workshop is designed to provide you with the needed information
for maintaining a healthy and safe pond.
Friendly workshop instructors include natural
resource professionals (Local, State and Federal) and sessions
will address the following issues;
Watersheds & Pond Quality, Pond Design, Wildlife and Fish
Management, Pond Ecology, Pond
Safety, Tree and Shrub Planting and Aquatic Plant Management.
|
Storm
Drain Labeling
In order to raise awareness
of local water quality issues, the Youngs Creek watershed assessment
staff is working in cooperation with a number of groups in Johnson
County to label storm sewer drains with the phrase "No Dumping,
Drains to Stream." If your group or organization would like
to participate, contact Lisa or Laura at the SWCD office.
Rick Littleton with the Franklin Department of Public
Works assists Mrs. Wilhelm's
Custer Baker Middle School students with applying storm drain labels in
Franklin.
Unlike sewer systems, storm
drains are not connected to treatment plants. Therefore, whatever
enters the storm drain is discharged directly into a creek or
stream. Much of the pollution in our creeks comes from everyday
materials like motor oil, antifreeze, household chemicals, fertilizers,
gasoline, and litter. These substances are washed by rain or
dumped from our streets, yards, driveways, and parking lots into the
storm drain. One quart of oil, for
example, can ruin the quality of 250,000 gallons of water!
Education
Programs
| The Youngs Creek Watershed
Project recognizes the need to educate people on the importance of
clean water. Staff will visit your school or group free of
charge and present information relating to water quality and
conservation.
An excellent educational tool we have
available is the Enviroscape (Picture shown to the right), an
interactive watershed model that demonstrates how water pollution
occurs in our communities.
If you would like to arrange a
presentation or possible field trip contact
Debra Ashack. |
|
You can make a difference!
-
Do not use the storm
drain to dispose of oil, antifreeze, or other materials.
-
Use fertilizer and
pesticides according to the directions. Avoid
over-fertilizing.
-
Leave grass clippings and
leaves on your lawn or in your garden to create a natural
fertilizer.
-
Dispose of pet waste by
flushing it down the toilet or composting it.
-
Wash your car in the
grass, not the driveway.
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Spread the word!
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