Storm Water Education

Storm water is the largest source of water quality problems in the United States. Education is one of the most effective means to combat storm water pollution. By letting people know how they can affect the community and how small actions can greatly improve local water quality.

The storm water educator's mission is to enhance the quality of water entering the Penobscot River and its tributaries by raising local awareness and public participation in reducing water pollution. When rain falls on impervious surfaces such as paved streets, parking lots, and building rooftops, it picks up sediments and pollutants on its journey. In most towns and cities the water will end up in storm drains and then flow untreated straight into rivers, streams, lakes, and the ocean.

A Maine Conservation Corp/AmeriCorps volunteer works directly with a member of the University of Maine Cooperative Extension and the Bangor Area StormWater Group to provide information about watersheds and water quality issues in students in area schools and through organization such as Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, the Maine Discovery Museum, and the local YMCAs.

Community Involvement

Organize and recruit volunteers for community projects such as:

• Stream Cleanups

• Storm Drain Stenciling

• Rain Barrel Construction  

Classroom Presentations

Hands-on, interactive activities are presented in classrooms and other group settings. Through these activities students learn about:

• the environment around them

• the watershed they live in

• how to protect it for future generations 

If you are an educator in Bangor, Brewer, Orono, Old Town, Veazie, Milford or Hampden, and would like information on classroom visit or community service opportunities, contact the AmeriCorps environmental educator at (207) 581-3213.