Storm Drain Marking:
Get involved! Help prevent non-point pollution by stenciling storm drains - "No Dumping – Drains to Waterways". Your group will be introduced to watersheds and learn where our stormwater goes. We provide the program and supplies. You provide the group.
Hoosier Riverwatch:
Hoosier Riverwatch is a state-sponsored water quality monitoring initiative. The program was started in 1994 to increase public awareness of water quality issues and concerns by training volunteers to monitor stream water quality. Hoosier Riverwatch collaborates with agencies and volunteers to:
- Increase public involvement in water quality issues through hands-on training of volunteers in stream monitoring and cleanup activities
- Educate local communities about the relationship between land use and water quality
- Provide water quality information to citizens and governmental agencies working to protect Indiana's rivers and streams
Educators are encouraged to become Hoosier Riverwatch volunteers.
Project WET:
Project WET is a balanced non-biased supplementary curriculum that enhances student learning in all subject and skill areas. It is about many water related topics including atmospheric, surface and ground water; chemistry; water history; watersheds; wetlands; aquatic wildlife; and water quality, use, management, economics, rights, conservation and stewardship. Participants who complete the 6 hour workshop will receive a Project WET Curriculum and Activity Guide with a collection of over 90 innovative, interdisciplinary activities that are hands-on, easy to use and FUN! Upcoming workshops can be found on our calendar or you can request a workshop at your school. School workshops are usually completed in two 3-hour after-school sessions.
Stream Clean-Up Spring 2009:
The 2009 Spring Clean-up was a huge success. We would like to thank our 545+ volunteers for participating in the county-wide clean-up. We picked up 62.94 tons of trash county wide. Great job volunteers!!! If you or your organization would like to participate in the 2010 clean-up please contact Karin Starr at 317-563-2190 or
hcpartnership@yahoo.com
Dog Days at the Park 2009:
Dog day’s at Paw Park was a huge success. We would like to thank Avon Washington Township Park for allowing us to set up a booth for our promotional items. We education and handed out dog waste bags, hard Frisbees, milk bones, and For The Love Of Dogs (Plainfield dog bakery) donated bags of goodies. If you would like for the Partnership to set up a booth at your dog event please contact Karin Starr at 317-563-2190 or
hcpartnership@yahoo.com Pharmaceutical Collection:
The pharmaceutical collection was a huge hit. We had 71 participants who brought in 167 pounds of pharmaceutical products. If you would like more information about discarding your old medication please contact Amy Sieferman at the Hendricks County Solid Waste Management District at 745-9130.
Earth Day:
The first Earth Day festival in Hendricks County was held on April 18th at Avon-Washington Township park was a great success. The event was planned and produced in partnership with several local environmental organizations including the Hendricks County Soil and Water Conservation District, Avon-Washington Township Parks , Hendricks County Parks and Recreation and Hendricks County Solid Waste Management District. The theme of this year’s event was “Footprint: How Big is Yours?”. Participants were encouraged to find out more about the baby steps they, as residents of Hendricks County , can take to make their environmental footprints smaller. Some of examples of such steps included, having cars painted with water-based paint, buying organic dog products, subscribing to local environmental magazines, planting trees, trying a rain barrel, disposing of pharmaceutical waste and pet waste properly, and riding the train vs. driving. Plans are already being made for next year’s event! If you would like to get involved please contact Amy Sieferman at the Hendricks County Solid Waste Management District at 745-9130.
Stream Clean-Up Fall:
More information in the future, please check back.
Adopt-A-River:
Are you interested in cleaning up a local river or stream? Would you like to receive recognition for your stewardship? If so, the Adopt-A-River (AAR) program may be for you!
Hoosier Riverwatch is seeking community groups, youth groups, businesses, schools, families, and environmental organizations to participate in the Adopt-A-River program. Volunteer groups who commit to cleaning at least a ½ mile stream segment twice per year for two years will be recognized with a large, colorful sign (see below) erected along a highway nearest the "adopted" site. For a complete list of guidelines, download the AAR Application. In general, the following guidelines apply:
- Volunteer groups may participate in the program. A group is identified as two or more people. At least a ½ mile segment of a flowing waterway (river, stream, creek, ditch) must be adopted. Cleanups must be held at least twice per year (with at least four months between each), with at least a two-year commitment. Private property and public access rights along waterways must be observed. Liability waivers must be signed by each volunteer. The adopting group must sign a Statement of Nondiscrimination.
- Hoosier Riverwatch reserves the right to determine the eligibility of streams (or sections of streams) for consideration in the AAR program.