Watershed Committee Receives County Grant

Howard County’s Bureau of Environmental Services offers, through a competitive application process, Watershed Enhancement Grants (WEGs) to non-profit organizations located in Howard County which perform work within the County. The purpose of the grant program is to encourage changes in citizen and community behavior in order to improve the quality of the water in Howard County’s lakes, rivers and streams. The grants must focus on educating Howard County residents and increasing individual and community participation in water quality issues and related projects. We are pleased to announce that the Association’s Watershed Committee has been awarded a $3600 grant to support their efforts and enable them to do more outreach in 2015 and early 2016.

Among their many accomplishments since forming, the Committee has:
• provided a “Watershed Tip of the Month” in The Villager;
• created website and Facebook pages;
• painted the storm drains along Great Star Drive with “Only Rain Down the Drain” and “Drains to the Patuxent River;”
• participated in the River Hill RideAbout;
• marched in the Independence Day Parade and distributed seed packets; and
• reached out to residents attending the River Hill Health Fair.
The WEG will enable the Committee to expand its efforts to improve local water quality and involve and educate the community. Plan to participate in their next event, a Pull and Plant on Sunday, October 18, 11 – 2 p.m. RSVP at www.facebook.com/WatershedCommittee or newsletter@villageofriverhill.org.