Students Spray Paint for Healthy Lawn Care
Veazie, ME—The Penobscot County Soil and Water Conservation District in conjunction with the Bangor Area Storm Water Group (BASWG) and the University of Maine Cooperative Extension will be spray painting a new message on the Veazie streets.
Students from Upward Bound will be visiting the Buck Hill and Silver ridge neighborhoods in Veazie on July 16th and 23rd to stencil, REDUCE YOUR USE OF LAWN CHEMICALS, DRAINS TO RIVER on pavement near storm drains to remind residents that stormwater flows unfiltered into local streams like Meadow Brook, and into the Penobscot River. Stormwater is water that accumulates on land as a result of storms, and can include runoff from urban areas such as roads and roofs.
The storm drain stenciling project is part of an on-going initiative to help show the connection between unnecessary lawn care practices and resulting health risks and water quality degradation in local water sources. Residents in each neighborhood will receive a door hanger with additional information and advice on how to maintain a healthy lawn and a healthy environment for their children, pets, and waterways. For more information on how to maintain a healthy lawn visit the BASWG website a www.baswg.org.
The BASWG is a comprised of seven municipalities and other entities, working together to meet permit requirement to make the Bangor Area a better place to live and work.
Upward Bound is a federally funded program which assists qualified students to improve their skills in high school and prepare to enter and succeed in college. Upward Bound provides academic support during the school year and an intense six-week residential summer experience at the University of Maine. For more information visit www2.umaine.edu/ub/.