Let’s commit to embracing environmental stewardship in 2024 and beyond! By taking mindful actions to protect our resources, we can create a positive impact now, and into the future. How about resolving to be a stronger steward for our hometown’s waterways in this year?
How would doing that even look? Consider this…
Last July, The Woodlands Township Environmental Services Department won an award for public awareness and education about local water quality, but really, it’s our volunteers who did all the work. To help spread the message about keeping pollutants out of our waterways, resident volunteers are installing informational markers on all storm drain inlets. With over 14,000 inlets to mark, we could use your help!
Since 2022, active and involved volunteers have taken on the role of environmental stewards – sharing their knowledge about how stormwater runoff carries bacteria and trash into the waters flowing through our community.
In August, a milestone was reached for one volunteer in particular. He set a goal of installing at least 1,000 markers on storm drain inlets. He met, and then exceeded that goal on Monday, August 7, and is still at work even as you read this!
When you see Jeff, or any of the 350 other project volunteers, installing markers in your neighborhood, thank them! Each has made a commitment to reduce pollution in our waterways by increasing awareness of the issues. So, if you’re ready to take on a resolution to change more than your clothes size, how about making an environmental stewardship resolution to join Jeff and the other volunteers working together to improve our community’s water quality?
First, watch this 3-minute video showing how the markers are installed to decide if it’s something you want to do:
When you’re ready to help in your neighborhood, sign up as a Stormwater Pollution Prevention Volunteer below, where additional options for project support are shown.
You will be contacted to help locate a neighborhood that’s convenient for you to work, and arrange for pickup of all the supplies you’ll need. If you have a question, contact Environmental Services at enviro@thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov or 281-210-3800.
Background: In 2000 the Township’s Municipal Utility Districts (MUDs) initiated a collaborative project to install markers in every neighborhood whereby the MUDs purchase the supplies, and Environmental Services staff recruit, train, and assign volunteers to do installations. To further support the awareness campaign, informative door hangers and dog waste bag dispensers are also distributed by volunteers. While initially sidelined by COVID restrictions, the program was relaunched in 2022 and more than 300 volunteers have and continue to volunteer their time in this important effort.
thanks for sharing