With spray paint and stencils, volunteers from schools, youth groups, adult programs and churches are teaching others about stormwater pollution. Groups in more than 60 Wisconsin communities caught the WAV and passed it on to more than 2,000 people last year. WAV, pronounced wave, stands for Water Action Volunteers, a partnership combining the Department of Natural Resources' water resource expertise and the University of Wisconsin Cooperative Extension's educational skills to coordinate independent stream and river activities around the state. WAV provides educational materials and know-how for local volunteers who want to take action to improve water quality.
Stenciling storm drains is easy, visible and fun.
Students in the Green Bay area stenciled over 350 storm drain inlets. One phone call to the WAV program will begin a community building activity that also improves the environment. Volunteers pick their messages based on where the storm sewers in their community drain. Dump No Waste, Protect our Drinking Water. WAV also supplies groups with door hanger cards and fact sheets to distribute to nearby residents.