Thorn Creek Watershed Based Plan December 2005
4–42 Thorn Creek Watershed Improvement Plan
• Create a self-guided tour of the watershed highlighting scenic spots, natural areas, wetlands,
trails, and areas of concern such as streambank erosion sites, stormwater outfalls, and urban run-off
sites.
• Develop a recognition program for watershed improvement efforts of industry, business, schools,
citizens, elected officials, and environmental groups implementing non point source pollution
control projects. Hold an annual award ceremony. Publish a directory of outstanding Thorn
Creek watershed management projects.
• Develop a storm drain stenciling or button campaign. Distribute door hangers to explain storm
drain stenciling efforts
• Develop an “Adopt a Stream” program
• Arrange site visits and interpretive signs installed at BMP installation sites.
• Establish a hotline or notification system to report fly dumping or illicit sanitary sewer connec-tions.
School Based Education
• Create a hands-on Thorn Creek watershed curriculum, including hands-on watershed ecology
and nonpoint source pollution training for teachers, field trips, chemical test kits, nets, sampling
equipment, wildlife identification books, etc.
• Hold workshops for teachers and an annual student congress.
• Develop and disseminate to educators a list of watershed education resources for use in K-12
classrooms.
• Maintain a group of trained student and teacher volunteers and create service learning opportu-nities
for 1000 students annually such as clean ups and monitoring.
• Create and maintain a school network web site and water quality database.
Public Education
• Develop multiple messages — one broader message for the general public and a series of more
specifically targeted messages for specific audiences along the creek (landowners, business own-ers,
municipalities, etc.)
• Watershed map/poster/brochure that includes pollution control strategies, watershed principles,
factoids about the watershed, etc. Focus on recreational opportunities.
• Install watershed road signs at stream crossings: “You are entering the Thorn Creek Watershed.
Please help protect our stream.” ($500 each)
• Create an education program and materials as well as watershed conferences, workshops, and
meetings for community leaders, government agencies, and the public.
• Hold river conferences and workshops for various audiences – municipalities, landscapers, ripar-ian
owners, etc.
• Create general watershed and water quality education materials including a watershed slide
show on CD and enlist volunteers for distribution. ($3,000)
• Develop hands-on educational workshops focused on restoration activities as well as a traveling
exhibit.
• Design a set of BMP manuals for your various target audiences: residents, streamside landown-ers,
business, municipalities, corporate campuses, educational campuses, religious organizations,
etc.
