As of March, 2008, this patch program has been discontinued. You are welcome to use these program ideas; however, they will not be updated and there is no patch available.
Non Point Source Pollution is a serious threat to our environment. Pollutants enter through
the town's storm drains, which then flow into our streams and rivers. This type of pollution
originates from many different areas: animal waste, septic systems, household chemicals and
waste oil, fertilizers and pesticides used on lawns, golf courses and crop fields, chemicals
used on our streets, parking lots and construction sites, and other sources.
Rolling Hills Girl Scouts have been actively involved in making local communities aware
of what Non Point Source Pollution is and how to prevent it from occurring. Our most
visible awareness project has been stenciling blue fish onto storm drains to remind people
the storm drains empty directly into our streams and rivers. The Stony Brook Millstone
Watershed also sponsors Project Turtle, a similar program which stencils turtles onto storm
drains for this purpose. Troops located in Millstone, Hillsborough, Montgomery, and East
Amwell may contact the Watershed for information on the program in their area.
To earn the GSRHC Paint The Town Blue patch, EITHER participate in a storm drain
stenciling project or do your choice of 3 of the following requirements:
- Make a poster or presentation depicting the sources or effects of water pollution in your area.
- Write to your congress members, governor or the editors of local newspapers presenting your concerns about clean water for the future.
- Provide a service to a watershed, conservation or preservation site, such as make up flyers and pass around town. See the list of agencies below and call them for information.
- Find out what kind of recreation events/sports are done on your local stream or river. How do they effect the quality of the waterway?
- Investigate your town's efforts to restore and maintain the streambanks. Can you become involved with this effort?
- Discover what kinds of fish and wildlife live in your local stream or river.
- Find out which species in New Jersey waterways have been affected by Non Point Source Pollution.
- Compile a list of "hot line" numbers for citizens to report pollution incidents or emergencies to local agencies.
- Find out where your drinking water comes from and if it is treated before it comes to your tap.
- Find recipes for non-polluting household cleaners. Find a way to compile and distribute them in your town.
Program Links
- All Levels
- Inchworm of Service
- Earth Matters Contemporary Issues
- Brownies
- Water Everywhere
- Earth Is Our Home
- Citizen Near and Far
- Juniors
- Eco-Action
- Junior Citizen
- Ready For Tomorrow
- Water Wonders
- Water Fun
- My Community
- Ecology
- Outdoor Fun In The City
- Cadettes/Seniors
Agencies to contact for information and projects:
South Branch Watershed Association
41 Lilac Drive
Flemington, NJ |
908-782-0422 |
The Nature Center
Washington Crossing State Park
Titusville, NJ |
609-737-0609 |
Stonybrook-Millstone Watershed Association
Pennington, NJ |
609-737-3735 |
Sandy Hook Environmental Center
Gateway National Park
Sandy Hook, NJ |
732-872-0115 |
Great Swamp Outdoor National Wildlife Refuge
Basking Ridge, NJ |
908-635-6629 |
Somerset County Environmental Education Center
Lord Stirling Park
Basking Ridge, NJ |
908-766-2489 |
Delaware Riverkeepers
Washington Crossing, PA |
215-369-1188 |
Clean Ocean Action
Sea Bright, NJ |
908-229-6443 |
|
Related Online Link
|
| Geography Action! Rivers 2001 |
An online project produced by the National Geographic Society to educate children about
river conservation. It includes an animated river system which shows how a watershed works,
online and offline games, activities like coloring and writing, and a calendar of local
river-related events. |
|
