Get Involved

The water quality in our streams, rivers and lakes is a reflection of the actions we choose both at home, at work, and in between. Becoming well-informed about the sources and solutions of stormwater pollution is the first step in protecting our natural environment.

Even though becoming educated on this topic is important, it is not until we adopt certain eco-friendly behaviors and actions before our water bodies can be positively effected. In addition to the solutions provided, you can also become more directly involved in helping keep our waters clean by participating in a variety of community programs discussed below.

Remember by choosing to volunteer in clean up and water monitoring programs or making a effort to teach others about the importance of a healthy environment, you are promoting the well being of our future.

 

Adopt-A-Watershed Program
Led by the EPA, the Adopt-A-Watershed program is intended to give citizens, organizations and schools ideas and links of how to coordinate cleanup and monitoring projects in communities as well as provide information on existing programs or organizations that are leading the way to curb the onset and effects of stormwater pollution. Follow the link, Adopt-A-Watershed for more information on how to become involved.

 

Water Action Volunteers Program
Partnered with the University of Wisconsin- Extension and the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, the Water Action Volunteers program is a statewide program targeted to improving the quality of our water bodies by citizens participating in river cleanup, storm drain stenciling and water testing activities. Storm drain stenciling activities involves stenciling a symbol on curbs and storm sewer grates warning others that the storm sewer system drains runoff to a water body directly without treatment. The program also provides a listing of on-going or scheduled activities in and around one’s community. Follow the link Water Action Volunteers Program, for information on how to become involved.

 

Adopt a Highway Program
Led by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation, the Adopt-A-Highway program is a statewide program intended to reduce litter along Wisconsin’s Highways by having citizens and organizations participate in Highway clean up effort. With a high volume of traffic along the highways, litter collects and eventually makes it way into our water bodies. With a coordinated effort, citizens are able to prevent litter from traveling downstream. Follow the link, Adopt-A-Highway, for information on how to become involved.

 

Teacher Programs and Lessons
Led by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, the EEK, Environmental Education for Kids, program offers a variety of information for teachers to enhance their teaching capabilities and lesson plans about environmental issues. The program targets teachers in grades 4-8. It provides such items as environmental geared lesson plans and activities as well as educational resources for the teacher’s continuing knowledge. The program provides links to seminars, online courses, multi-media resources and a calendar of upcoming events. Follow the link, EEK! Teacher Pages, for more information.

 

Additional Volunteer Opportunities
Click on the following links to learn about additional volunteer programs:

Citizen Lake Monitoring Network
Clean Boats Clean Waters Program
Give Water a Hand Program
Wisconsin Groundwater Guardian Program