Adopt-A-Stream Program
Many of Raleigh’s urban streams are deteriorating through erosion and pollution from a wide variety of sources. Sources of this pollution are often hard to detect through standard water quality monitoring. Often, the best way to find these problems is to physically walk the stream. The City needs the help of its residents to protect our streams from further pollution and locating pollution sources.
The Adopt-A-Stream Program is always looking for new volunteer groups to walk, clean, and protect streams in Raleigh. The program allows groups to adopt stream segments for 3-year periods. Groups should walk their stream reach at least twice a year, once in the spring and once in the fall, to identify water quality problems. The groups should also conduct one stream clean-up each year along their designated stream reach. Stream clean-ups involve the physical removal of trash and debris from the stream channel to a nearby designated location for collection and disposal by the City. The City recommends groups to organize their clean-up to coincide with North Carolina’s “Big Sweep” in early October and the City provides trash bags for the volunteer groups. Signs are erected to recognize the efforts of groups that adopt at least one mile of stream within the City limits.
When volunteer groups perform their stream walks and clean-ups, each group is asked to complete and submit a Field Data Sheet and notify the City of any pollution sources found. The City will investigate reported pollution problems to ensure they are eliminated.
The City is not responsible for injury to persons or property resulting from Adopt-A-Stream activities. Once a segment of the stream reach has been adopted, it is the responsibility of the adopting group to obtain permission from all adjacent property owners for stream walks and clean-ups. Educational door hangers describing the Adopt-A-Stream Program and its benefits to the environment are available from the City to notify property owners of the adopting group’s proposed activities.
Currently Active Volunteer Groups:
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- Alpha Sigma Phi Beta Zeta
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- AMEC Earth and Environmental
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- Best Water Systems (NC Plumbing #15886)
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- Great Falls on the Crabtree
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- Black & Veatch International Co.
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- Happy Tails Animal and House Sitting
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- Blue Phoenix of North Carolina
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- NC Wildlife Federation Capital Chapter
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- North Raleigh Presbyterian Church
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- Raleigh Clean Stream Initiative
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- Ravenscroft Elementary School Sixth Grade
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- Daniels Middle School National Junior Honor Society
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- Deering Drive Brain Trust
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- Delta Sigma Phi Fraternity-Rho Chapter
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- Simmons Branch RiverKeepers
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- Eastern Research Group, Inc.
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- Enloe High School National Honor Society
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- Stewart Engineering, Inc.
- Stream Savers
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- Environmental Services, Inc.
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- Timberlake Residents Association
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- Exploris Middle School 8th Graders
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- Unitarian Universalist Peace Fellowship
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- Wake County Audubon Society
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- Follow the Child Montessori School
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- Froehling & Robertson, Inc.
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If you see that your group is not listed, please contact Mac Smith.
For Volunteer Groups:
Click here to download the current quarterly Urban Watersheds: Volunteers in Action Newsletter! If you would like to see a previous publication, please contact Mac Smith.
Click here to download you Adopt-A-Stream Field Data Sheet (97KB Fill-In Adobe Acrobat File). Please fill it out by hand or on your computer and then mail or fax it to the City of Raleigh within 3 days of your stream walk. Faxes should be sent to (919) 996-7633.
For More Information Contact:
Mac Smith
Water Quality Technician
Public Works Department
222 W. Hargett Street, P. O. Box 590
Raleigh, NC 27602
919-996-3940
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