GET INVOLVED | VOLUNTEER | COMMUNITY OUTREACH
Storm Drain Marking Project
What can you do to protect our local streams, lakes and the Chesapeake Bay? One way is to participate in the Storm Drain Marking Project. Our storm drains prevent flooding of roads and neighborhoods by carrying rain and snowmelt away from streets and sidewalks. Unlike water from our taps and tub, water flowing into our storm drains is not treated. Storm drains connect directly to our streams and empty into our lakes. Trash, pet waste, motor oil, paint and other materials dumped or washed into storm drains pollute our watersheds and ultimately, the Chesapeake Bay. Markers on each storm drain remind all of us to keep storm drains and our streams clean. Since there are over 4,000 storm drains in Reston, many volunteers are needed to mark the storm drains and to help educate the community about the connection between the storm drains and our streams and lakes. Everybody is encouraged to participate.
Kid’s Trout Fishing Day Many storm drains in Reston are on private roads. In order for volunteers to mark the drains, clusters need to grant permission first. Contact your local cluster board member and get your neighborhood involved today. The Storm Drain Marking Project in Reston is sponsored by the Fairfax County Department of Public Works and Environmental Services, the Northern VA Soil and Water Conservation District, the Virginia Department of TransportationNorthern VA District, and Reston Association. To get your project started or for more information, contact Nicki Bellezza at 703-435-6560, Nicki@ reston.org.
March 19, 8 a.m.-Noon.
Registration: Near 7-11 at Soapstone Drive. Volunteers must be 16 or older. Individuals wishing to volunteer do not need to be experienced anglers. Location: Snakeden Branch Stream between Soapstone Drive and Lake Audubon. Please park along Soapstone Drive, Glade Drive and the Glade Pool parking lot. Kid’s Trout Fishing Day is intended for kids to learn more about fishing and have a good time. We would also like for the kids to be successful. That’s why we need volunteers. Please wear shoes that can get wet and muddy. No sandals. Teens and adults ages 16 and up who are helping must have a Virginia State Fishing License (Freshwater only), available online at www.dgif.state.va.us. Adults are not permitted to fish during kids’ fishing time. For more information or to volunteer, contact Ha Brock at 703-435-7986 or habrock@reston.org. Reston Kids’ Trout Fishing Day is made possible by a partnership with Wetland Studies and Solutions, Inc., Northern Virginia Trout Unlimited, Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, and Reston Association.
Stream Monitoring The areas around our streams are starting to thaw out, bringing with it plenty of macroinvertebrates to find. RA welcomes new volunteers to assist with stream monitoring at several locations throughout Reston. Get involved with a small team during all seasons to collect data and identify insects with the goal of assessing the health of Reston’s streams. Not only do you get to learn about Reston’s streams, it also provides an opportunity to make new friends.
after successfully demonstrating your ability to identify macroinvertebrates. Each monitoring session consists of two to three hours. Any interest and commitment level is appreciated.
If you are interested in assisting with stream monitoring for more than one or two sessions, training and practice opportunities are offered by joining seasoned volunteers and RA staff. You can earn a stream monitoring certificate
For more information, contact Ha Brock at 703-435-7986 or email habrock@reston.org.
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If interested, join our volunteer monitor email distribution list to receive notices of upcoming monitoring dates. Email wpeterson@reston.org with the message, “add me to the stream monitors list” to begin receiving emails.
RESTON | LIVE, WORK, PLAY AND GET INVOLVED™
Winter Monitoring ends: Feb. 28 Spring Monitoring: March 1-April 30 UPCOMING DATES: Saturday, Feb. 13, Noon-3 p.m. Saturday, March 5, Noon-3 p.m. Saturday, April 16, 1:30-4:30 p.m.