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Welcome to the
Watershed Pledge Program!
Where pollution is concerned, every home is waterfront property! The Watershed Pledge Program is here to help Burnaby residents protect their local streams and lakes.
The Problem
The rain-water that flows off our streets and yards can carry a nasty mix of heavy metals, oil, fertilizers, pesticides, yard waste, detergents, and animal feces! City storm drains deliver these substances directly to our streams and lakes, making life tough for the animals that live there. It’s tough for people too — water pollution often prevents us from enjoying our own waterways.
The Solution
We are all citizens of a watershed. The problem of water pollution must be solved just as it was created; by the combined actions of all citizens who live and work in the watershed. If each of us "Takes the Pledge" to change a few of our daily habits, we can bring new life to the streams and lakes of Burnaby.
Just a Drop in the Bucket?
Your contribution may seem like a "drop in the bucket", but that’s the only way to save our watershed — one drop at a time!
Let's Take Action!
Take a few minutes to look through this web presentation and decide which actions YOU can take to prevent pollution in your watershed.
Who Can Participate?
Anyone can Take the Pledge from this web site — you don't have to be a resident of Burnaby, British Columbia. All participants will receive a colour plaque, fridge magnet, and more information on how to protect urban watersheds. Residents outside of Canada are also welcome.
Project Scope
The Watershed Pledge Program was launched in the fall of 1999 with a two-year life span. The program targets residents, businesses and schools in Burnaby, with the aim of providing citizens with practical ACTIONS they can take toward improving water quality. Components of the program include the following:
  • Residential Program: A colour booklet and pledge application will be mailed out to 8,000 Burnaby households.
  • Business Program: Contact will be made with 690 Burnaby businesses, offering public recognition for their participation.
  • School Program: Information packages will go out to 100 schools and institutions, offering teaching materials tailored to school curriculum.
The target population lives within the Brunette River Watershed, the largest watershed in Greater Vancouver. However, the project also seeks to educate people outside the watershed via this web site, public events, and media promotion. The Watershed Pledge Program will hopefully serve as a model for future education programs in other municipalities.
Project inspiration:
"Whatcom Watershed Pledge" program, sponsored by the City of Bellingham, RE Sources, and Washington State Department of Ecology. Special thanks to Mindy Uber
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