In Your Community

Storm water is the largest source of water quality problems in the United States, and we all contribute to it, often without realizing it. The Maine DEP estimates that up to 70 percent of the precipitation that falls in the average Maine residential lot runs off! This storm water contains hitch-hiking pollutants that kill sensitive aquatic life and harm the overall beauty and recreational appeal of a body of water. Polluted storm water can cause beach closures, swimming bans, algal blooms, and even contaminated drinking sources.

Stream Clean-Up Event

Join your local stream cleanup event this April or May.  Work with friend and family to clear trash and pollution from the Penobscot River and its' tributaries. Stay afterwards to enjoy the celebratory BBQ with fun prizes and special guests. Call 581-2971 to find out about a Stream Cleanup in the Greater Bangor area

Storm Drain Stenciling Program

Stencil local storm drains to educate the community to the fact that local storm drains empty untreated water into local streams and rivers. A door-hanger can be designed to educate the community about the storm stenciling and to help educate people to the fact that the fertilizer and pesticides used in lawn and gardens washes down the storm drains and flows directly into local water sources.

Make Rain Barrels

Rain barrels reduce the amount of storm water that drains to local rivers and streams while lowering a household's water consumption by catching water as it drains from a house's roof.  Used 55-gallon barrels, available free from local businesses, can be converted into rain barrels to catch runoff from roofs.

Stream Teams

Across the state of Maine local groups of people band together to care for a local stream. Stream Teams educate their community about streams, monitor bodies of water and participate in projects to improve the health of streams. To learn more about the Maine Stream Team Program or to locate a stream team in your area, please visit the Maine Department of Environmental Protection.

For more information, contact the AmeriCorps Educator at (207) 581-3213. These opportunities are for the Bangor Area: Bangor, Brewer, Milford, Veazie, Hampden, Orono, and Old Town.