DON'T DUMP! Did you know storm drains in town deliver run-off directly into rivers? During Spring 2009, all 6th graders at Parry McCluer Middle School worked on a project to teach their community about keeping pollutants out of the drains--and out of the Maury River. With their science teacher, they mapped the storm drains near their school, prepared educational fliers, and created a powerpoint to present to Buena Vista City Council. The City Council gave them permission to stencil several storm drains near school and the City Treasurer asked to have extra fliers to give to people who came to her office! Click here to see more PMMS Project 08-09 Photos. Program supported by Virginia Learn and Serve.
TOSS IT HERE! During a 2008 watershed investigation at Jordan's Point, 6th graders at Lylburn Downing Middle School met an unusual invention. This invention cleaned run-off from a nearby parking lot before the water ran into Woods Creek. The invention is called a rain garden: plants and roots do the filtering work. The students noticed trash in the rain garden with no trashcan nearby They held a design contest back at school and then painted the winning choice on a new receptable. The colorful trash can attracts positive attention and encourages the public to care for the earth. To find out more about our watershed activities, please click LDMS grade 6 science. To read some of our poetry about the watershed please click LDMS poetry. Program funded by Virginia Learn and Serve.

BUFFER MAGIC! Every year 6th graders from Maury River Middle School follow the path water from their school took all the way to Woods Creek. At Woods Creek they do hands-on projects that help improve the riparian buffer. The buffer is the strip of plants and trees along the creek that help keep the water healthy. The plant roots hold soil and prevent soil erosion during floods. They also filter pollutants. The shady trees help keep the stream cool in summer and provide habitat and food for many creatures. In 2007 and 2008 the students removed invasive species along the bank and planted more than one hundred trees. In 2009 they also installed all the plants for a powerful new rain garden that will help slow the flow of urban run-off. Click here to see more 2009 MRMS Project Photos. Program funded by Virginia Learn and Serve.
KEEP AN EYE ON IT! Sixth grade science students have taken the lead in monitoring the quality of creeks and streams in northern Rockbridge County. At least five students from each class bring in water samples from Maury River tributaries near where they live. Working with a environmental technician from Natural Bridge Soil and Water Conservation District, all students test the water three times a year. In Spring 2009, they made a presentation to the Rockbridge County School Board about their findings. Click here to see more RMS Photos. Students have also helped younger children at Fairfield Elementary as they learned how to plant trees to keep our local watershed healthy. To see the results of their tests, click Northern Tributaries. Program funded by Virginia Learn and Serve.
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