Three Phase Action Project
A group of four Watershed Steward Academy (WSA) interns consisting of Shari Rosenberg, Kory Sutherland, Bob Hartranft and Jack Boccuzzi have initiated a three phased Action Project in the Oakland Mills area of Columbia Maryland. The project involves education about local water pollution sources affecting the health of the Chesapeake Bay and offers alternative practices that are more environmentally friendly. This information will be shared with Oakland Mills High School (OMHS) students via the Oakland Mills Speaker Series and at an environmental awareness event at Oakland Mills Interfaith Center.
At an OMHS class on March 21, 2023, the WSA team demonstrated how water pollution occurs using an Enviroscape model. The interns demonstrated how actions in Oakland Mills can negatively affect water quality downstream at the Chesapeake Bay. After the demonstration, the group discussed several Best Management Practices (BMP’s) that counteract these poor practices. The class focused on the use of rain barrels to collect rainwater from roof drains and slowly release the captured water.
This coincides with the environmental mantra of “Slow the Flow.” To facilitate and jumpstart the desired behavioral change, the group utilized the labor, energy and imagination of 25 seniors of Oakland Mills High School to decorate these barrels. WSA members will also participate in the OMHS Scorpion Speaker Series on April 14. This outreach event to additional OMHS students will disseminate watershed information thru entertaining games and videos.
WSA will ultimately raffle off the three decorated rain barrels at the Oakland Mills Interfaith Center’s Green Spring Fling event on May 7, 2023. This third interaction with community is an annual outdoor event. By participating in this event, it is expected that a broader, diverse audience will be present to receive messaging of watershed issues and procedures that individuals can implement to improve OUR environment.
