Examine your SchoolyardStormSystem
Did you know that your schoolyard is alsopart of the stormwater system? Every system has
various inputs andoutputs—in this case, water going into andout of the system.
Spend 20-30minutes drawing and labeling the parts of your school campuswater system in a given
area (this includes gutters, stormdrains, the parking lot, sidewalks, buildings, trees, etc.). List the
placeswhere you can SEEwater.What are the living and non-livingparts of your schoolyard system?
Howdoeswater flow through the system?Are there placeswhere thewater ismoving?Where is it
moving to? Is thewater harmful or beneficial? How?What are theways that humans have impacted
this system?
Some ideas formaking your drawing:
•Make a bird’s eye view drawing
• Use a Google Maps image and and label key parts
• Draw arrows to show the direction water flows
• Take photos and then label parts
Be aDrainRanger! Identify things
you cando tohelp salmonby
preventing stormwater pollution
Stormwater flows directly to local streams,
lakes andwetlandswithout treatment. See if
you canmatch the places that water soaks
in, runs off or flows on the picture.
Helpprotect water quality bymaking
simple choices that prevent pollution.
A
Scooppet poop, bag it andplace it in the trash.
Pet waste contains harmful microorganisms
that can be transferred to humans.
B
Wash your car at a commercial car wash
because they send the dirtywater to the sewer
for treatment.
Soaps that get into our creeks
can dissolve the protectivemucous layer on fish
and natural oils in the gills, making fishmore
susceptible to diseases. Even biodegradable soap
polluteswater because it needs to go through soil
to properly break down.
C
Find a fish-friendly fundraiser.
Instead of car
washes, try the following ideas instead: partner
with a local business to sell doughnuts, hold a
clothingdrive, have a bingo night or silent auction,
or sell environmentally sustainable products. Or,
sell commercial car wash coupons to raise funds,
stay dry, andpromote a fish-friendly car wash!
E
Fix vehicle leaks.
Oil allowed to flowdown storm
drains by the gallon or by the drop, pollutes our
local streams, lakes, andPuget Sound. Automotive
fluids cause environmental and safety hazards.
F
Build healthy soil by adding compost, mulch
andother all-natural amendments.
Healthy soils
lead to robust plants that aremore resistant
to disease and insects. Thiswill reduce your
need for herbicides andpesticides. If youmust,
use slow-release organic fertilizer in spring.
G
Plant a tree.
Bymaintaining and increasing
the number of trees in your neighborhood you
are helping intercept rainwater, which prevents
flooding andproblems from stormwater runoff.
Well-placed trees andbushes on your property
can also help insulate your home from heat and
cold, and can provide great habitat for birds,
butterflies, and other local wildlife and keep
the neighborhood cool for you and fish.
H
Store anddispose of household chemicals
according to the instructions on the label.
Try
to use the least hazardous products you can
whenever possible.
ACTIVITY
Match each
action you can
takebywriting
the letter in
eachbox.
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| SUNDAY,
OCTOBER30, 2016
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