Why We Need Watershed Groups

Last Saturday, I had the pleasure of meeting with community leaders from the Bethesda Chevy Chase area at a green forum sponsored by two wonderful organizations, Bethesda Green and the BCC Regional Services Center. It was an energizing event with different civic and community leaders sharing what their organizations were doing to "green" the county. We had the Cabin John/Glen Echo Scrape metal challenge, the Bethesda Green recycling bin project, the Town of Chevy Chase "Walk for your Community" event, an Energy Audit Coop initiative and even a Solar Energy Coop - a lot of great ideas and programs that are going on right in our neighborhoods.

But what was noticeably missing (in my mind) were groups really excited about the watershed and solving the problems of stormwater run-off and invasive weeds. Only one civic leader mentioned stormwater management and that was my own town, Somerset (where I have some influence!) And there was a couple who were concerned about stormwater run-off, but only in that run-off from the house next door to theirs was causing flooding. I approached them about the problems of stormwater run-off in general, but they were mostly interested in getting the water off their property and into the street where it won't flood their basement. Which is important, water in your basement is not fun, but sending the water to the street only transfers the problem to someone else.

While I was walking my dogs this morning, it occurred to me that the "someone else" is us. Groups like ours are so necessary as our sole purpose is to advocate for the watershed. Sometimes I think that people take the watershed for granted. The Little Falls Branch looks so lovely tumbling over rocks. Ducks live there and the water is mostly trash-free and clean. They see streams and trees and think that everything is OK as long as it looks pretty. In the years that I have been leading groups to monitor Little Falls Branch, watching the macro-invertebrates die off, talking about the problems of stormwater run-off, I can't tell you how many people have given me a little pat and said "don't worry Sarah, the creek will take care of itself". As we know, the creek can't take care of itself in the face of all the new development and urbanization. So, I'm proud to be a member of this stewardship group.

On April 25/26 (Earth Day weekend) you can help us raise awareness of the watershed by joining us for our "Label the Watershed" event. We are looking for teams of volunteers from all over the area to go out and label the storm drains with "Don't Dump, Flow to Little Falls Watershed" stickers and to distribute educational material to neighbors. This is an easy activity suitable for all ages. Scouts, Brownies, church groups, senior centers, school clubs, book groups - anyone can label storm drains. It should be a fun time. For each storm drain labeled, volunteers will get a raffle ticket and we have great prizes. We hope to have free t-shirts and other give-aways too. But more important, you will get the satisfaction of knowing that you are advocating for the watershed.

Please contact me, stormwater@lfwa.org, if you want to volunteer to help with organization. We especially need people to help with publicity and writing press releases! If you have a group that would like to send a team out, we would like to register them in advance (if possible) so we know how many labels we need. Email me with numbers. And finally, if you would like to sponsor the event, we're looking for donations!

Sarah Morse
stormwater@lfwa.org,
Blog Master