Community Outreach Training at Public Festivals

We have found a novel way to engage the public that teaches a point many people do not know. (Once engaged, you can talk about other topics as well.) If the festival is on or near city streets, we have one person fishing in the storm drain and another person asking people what they think he or she is doing. It helps to have a festive atmosphere by having the angler in full fishing regalia and a colorful fake fish on the line, when it is pulled up. Our storm drains go directly to the creek so we want to make people aware that whatever is in the street will be washed into the home of the fish. (We do have stencils on the drains, but most of the people we talk to, unless they are under 18 and saw Nemo, do not know this fact.)

Thanks,
-Joan Martin

Huron River Watershed Council
Ann Arbor, MI
(734) 769-5123, X.11
www.hrwc.org/lizswims