Getting Started With Stormwater Education

Help Rhode Island’s youngest residents understand the significance of stormwater pollution and how they can help stop it from impacting their favorite stream, lake or beach! Stormwater pollution is currently the most common cause of water pollution in the United States (USEPA 2012) and Rhode Island is no exception: stormwater pollution routinely contributes to beach and shellfish bed closures in the Ocean State and can lead to flooding concerns, aquatic habitat destruction, and can impact drinking water supplies. While it may seem like an overwhelming problem to overcome, in reality there is a lot we can do to control stormwater pollution simply by changing our behaviors! Stormwater-friendly yard care practices, responsible pet care, auto care, and proper septic system maintenance are all ways individuals can help reduce stormwater pollution. Even very young children will understand why it’s important to never dump into storm drains, pick up pet waste, or conserve water.

A wealth of resources is available for teachers to incorporate stormwater education in the classroom. Teachers may wish to:

• participate in a stormwater education teacher training program,
• create their own curriculum using a variety of lesson plans, background materials, and teaching tools available here on Rhode Island Stormwater Solutions, or
• hire a local environmental organization, watershed group, or other resource management agency to plan a classroom presentation or field trip about stormwater.

Stormwater Curriculum

The following resources are available for teachers who wish to create a stormwater curriculum for their classroom:

• Stormwater concepts
• Teacher resources
• EnviroScape watershed models
• URI Learning Landscape Program

Field Trips And Classroom Visits

See our list of existing stormwater education programs to help you select the right stormwater education program for your classroom. Several local environmental organizations have established programs for the classroom or the field and may provide additional teacher resources.

The URI Outreach Center’s Learning Landscape Program is the result of partnership with Rhode Island Stormwater Solutions to provide stormwater education. The Learning Landscape Program offers programming throughout the academic year at locations in Providence and Kingston, as well as camp options during the summer. Elementary school children (K-5) participate in a 2 hour “Eco-Exploration” field trip at the Roger Williams Botanical Center during the winter or University of Rhode Island Kingston Botanical Garden in the spring. Field trips include a series of hands-on learning stations, covering topics such as native mammals, insects, birds, seeds and plants, ecosystems, energy, adaptations, composting and recycling and water quality. Stormwater pollution and prevention is available upon request and includes work with the Enviroscape ® watershed model and a water filtration activity. For more information, contact Mamie Chen at coopext@uri.edu or (401) 874-2900 to borrow the model.