Virginia Sixth Graders Inspire Stormwater Management Program

www.earthforce.com

Through the Caring for Our Watersheds program, sixth graders from Kenmore Middle School were surprised to discover that the water at Four Mile Run at Bluemont Park in Arlington, VA was low in dissolved oxygen. Putting them STEM skills to work, the students helped address some of the causes, like elevated temperatures in runoff and stormwater-borne nutrients and organic materials, they decided to promote the use of rain barrels as a citizen-based approach to stormwater management.

The students got to work and organized an interactive rain barrel workshop for the community, educating residents of the area about Four Mile Run and how rain barrels can prevent water pollution.

Their great idea received an even greater response! The workshop was such a success that national agricultural company, and sponsor of the Caring for Our Watersheds program, Agrium, took notice - a lot of notice. Using the concept that Kenmore students created, now every organization that participates in the Caring for Our Watershed program will receive 25 rain barrels for a similar workshop and are contest for local community members.

Earth Force released a statement from Lindsey Metheral, Program Advisor at Agrium, that read: "Agrium is proud to work with Earth Force to help young people understand their local watershed and the role they play in protecting it. The goal of Caring for Our Watershed is to work with youth as they create change around the environment, which is exactly what we are doing by helping Kenmore Middle School implement their rain barrel idea internationally. Hopefully this realistic solution will inspire other students around the world to make a difference in their local watersheds."

Get more information about the Caring for Our Watersheds program here!