Steward Candidates Beat the Rain to Protect the Patapsco
ELKRIDGE, MD — Rain clouds couldn’t stop the current class of the Howard County Watershed Stewards Academy from making a visible impact in the community last Saturday. All eight steward-candidates (and one volunteer youth) gathered on Red Barn Way in Elkridge to successfully stencil two local storm drains, completing the vital pollution-awareness project just before the forecast weather rolled in.
The effort began with a clean sweep, thanks to Terry Matthews, who cleared away debris and prepped the storm drains before the class arrived. Working efficiently under overcast skies, the eight students applied two layers of a white base coat to ensure maximum visibility. They then applied a county-approved stencil featuring a clear message for passersby: the top reads “Only rain down the drain,” while the front states “Drains to the Patapsco River.”
Strategically located near the entrance to Mayfield Woods Middle School, these stenciled drains aim to catch the attention of students, families, and school staff alike. The class hopes this visual serves as a daily reminder that whatever enters our storm drains flows directly into our local waterways. By keeping these drains clear of litter and pollutants, Elkridge residents can directly contribute to a cleaner, healthier Patapsco River.
