Downtown Prescott is getting a new look: 100 storm drains will be sporting new labels. Local nonprofit organization, Prescott Creeks, with its mission to protect, restore and celebrate the area's creeks, is pleased to announce that Saturday, September 8th from 8:00a.m. to 1:00p.m. approximately 30 student volunteers from Northpoint Expeditionary Learning Academy (NELA) under the guidance of Charles Mentken, the 10th grade Social Studies teacher will be labeling drains to help clarify the connection between storm drains and the area's nine local creeks. The student volunteers, who will be wearing bright orange T-shirts labeled Stormwater Squads, will be affixing distinctive medallion-style markers directly to the storm drains.
The marker to be used in the project was generated from a contest involving local students who submitted ideas for a high impact design that would reach a broad audience. Twelve student designs were selected from 77 submissions and then local graphic designer, Bridget Reynolds created the eye-catching marker complete with Thumb Butte
silhouette.
"Many people mistakenly believe storm drain inlets flow to water treatment facilities, but this is not the case," explains Ann-Marie Benz, the Watershed Program Coordinator overseeing the storm drain labeling project. "One gallon of used oil can create an eight-acre slick on surface water, threatening fish, waterfowl and other aquatic life. Our goal is to let the community know that Prescott's storm drains flow directly into our creeks." Making this connection (between storm drains and our creeks) can only help to improve the condition of Granite Creek and Watson Lake; both are listed as "Impaired Waters" by
the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality and the US Environmental Protection Agency.
Director Geneva Saint-Amour of the Northpoint Expeditionary Learning Academy believes this project definitely fits with many of the stated aims of the NELA mission, which prepares students for full participation in a dynamic world and promotes social responsibility.
The labeling project, through Prescott Creeks, in partnership with the City of Prescott, was made possible by an Arizona Department of Environmental Quality grant. On the day of the labeling, owners Suzie and David Sanders of the local downtown restaurant Gizie Magee's have agreed to donate deli-baked brownies as refreshments for the NELA students. During the month of September, the Prescott Public Library display area will highlight the project including the volunteer members of the Stormwater Squads and all the students who participated in the storm drain label design process.
Prescott Creeks' other projects include overseeing the ongoing restoration of Watson Woods Riparian Preserve established in 1995.
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