Project Ideas
Adoption means making a commitment to become an active steward for a specific resource area. Stewardship can involve a great diversity of projects depending on the interests, talents, and resources of the adopting group.
One group may only be concerned with educational / informational activities, while others may organize and implement on-site restoration / pollution prevention projects. Some project examples follow:
Volunteer monitoring
Monitoring a stream, a lake, or a wetland can lead to a new appreciation for these waterbodies. Monitoring provides an increased understanding of how these waterbodies function, the changes that occur over time, and how these changes are influenced by land uses and activities upstream. Learn how you can become involved.
Volunteer Monitoring Information
Education Materials
Distributing material door-to-door or at local community events can be an effective way to let people in your community understand how actions around their homes, businesses, or farms can contribute to water pollution. These materials can also inform people how to be part of the solution to water pollution. Please contact Jack Wilbur, Utah Department of Agriculture and Food, for more information or to receive EPA-produced materials to distribute.
Cleanup projects
People who Adopt-A-Waterbody can help reduce pollution in the impaired streams and lakes by cleaning up trash nearby. By removing trash and garbage, the organic material in the waterbody would be reduced and there may be an increase in the dissolved oxygen that is available to fish and other aquatic organisms. All you need are some garbage bags and some gloves to get started. Be careful of sharp objects, steep stream banks, and other hazards in the work area. Always be careful of children working near water! Have enough adult supervision when groups are working near deep or moving water. Clean up projects are very gratifying as the results are immediately visible.
Revegetation projects
By planting vegetation along stream banks, you can help stabilize a stream bank and reduce erosion of sediments into waterbodies. Plants can provide fish habitat and cool off the water by increasing shady riparian areas. It is important to work with your local plant nursery, Extension office, or the aquatic experts at the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources when deciding what plants would add value to the waterbody. There are many plants that are considered noxious and undesirable because they use too much water from the resource. Willow cuttings can be taken from mature plants and replanted along stream banks.
Tree Utah is an organization that may provide valuable information and expertise when deciding what to plant. Always get permission from the Utah State Parks Department, private landowner, or local government officials before cutting and planting vegetation.
Stormwater stenciling
Stenciling next to storm drains alerts others to the fate of runoff water and the pollution carried with it from lawns and streets. The stenciled message is highly visible. Currently used in over 40 states, storm drain stenciling and related projects can help in your community!
Stenciling won't solve all water pollution problems alone, but it's a practical, positive, easy first step toward public education, involvement, and support for local watershed stormwater pollution prevention. Please work in partnership with your city or town. It's VERY IMPORTANT that you get permission from your city public works office and from business owners in private parking lots to stencil storm drains.
More Information on Stormwater Stenciling
Conservation
We can all Adopt-A-Waterbody by simply conserving water. Think about the amount of water you're using and look for ways to use less whenever you can. Repair leaking faucets around your home. Replace showerheads with low flow devices and add aerators to faucets.
Only run full loads of dishes in the dishwasher or clothes in the washer. Store water in the refrigerator instead of cooling water by running the tap. Consider a drip irrigation system for lawns and gardens. It is best to water lawns before 10 a.m. or after 6 p.m. Plant drought-tolerant plants and use mulch to keep moisture in the soil. Check with the Utah Division of Water Resources or your local county or city offices to find other water-saving ideas.
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