Join DEP in celebrating Earth Month 2015!

This year is the 45th anniversary of Earth Day and the Department of Environmental Protection along with partners across the County are celebrating the occasion with a variety of volunteer and outreach activities.  We hope you will attend events throughout April (Earth Month)!

Storm Drain Art Painting

Anything that ends up on sidewalks, roads, or any surface outside eventually makes its way via storm drains to our local rivers. We continue to find ways to help educate people about this issue. Painting storm drains with art not only looks great but can convey the message of keeping things out of our rivers and streams. This year we will paint three storm drains at three different locations. Below are the tentative dates and locations:

• Wednesday, April 8 in Silver Spring, MD from 3pm to 5:30pm (near Piney Branch Road)
• Tuesday, April 21 in Silver Spring, MD – Time to be determined (near White oak Community Center)
• Wednesday, April 22 in Bethesda, MD – Time and Location to be determined.

Volunteers will help with painting 3 storm drains with art chosen via our storm drain art contest.  For more information, email Ana Arriaza or call 240-777-7778.

 Outreach Events

Throughout April – DEP will celebrate Earth Month through a dynamic educational display in the lobby of the Rockville Library.  After entering the library, visit the display cases to the right.  Don’t forget to check out an environmental themed book!

Get Information from DEP Staff: DEP will be making presentations or hosting displays at more than 60 events throughout the month of April.

Saturday, April 18 – Master Gardener Grow It! Eat It! Event on Saturday, April 18 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Agricultural History Farm Park in Derwood

Sunday, April 26 – Rockville Science Day  DEP will have two educational exhibits at the event: one on our watershed management and sustainability work and another on recycling and composting of yard trim materials.

Paper Shredding, Recycling and Clothing/Household Item Drop-off

Saturday, April 18 – The DEP Division of Solid Waste Services is hosting a recycling drop-off event at Redland Middle School from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Learn about this and other drop-off events at montgomerycountymd.gov/recycling

Stream Cleanups

Potomac Watershed Cleanup

Saturday, April 11 – Help clean the parks and streams of the Potomac River Watershed.  A full list of volunteer activities can be found at the Alice Ferguson Website.

DEP Cleanups

• Saturday, April 18 – Stormwater pond cleanup from 10am-12pm in Bethesda, MD.
• Saturday, April 19 – Stormwater pond cleanup from 10am to 12pm in Silver Spring, MD near Dennis Avenue.

Volunteers will help with picking up trash and recording the weight and types of trash found.  To sign up to volunteer or for more information, email Ana Arriaza or call 240-777-7778.

Make and Take Rain Barrel Workshop

 Gather and store water from your rooftop and to help control the stormwater impact to your yard. Rain barrel with fittings and easy instructions provided. Remember you need a vehicle large enough to carry a 55-gallon barrel home!

Two Workshops Available:

•  Friday, April 17 from 10am-1pm.  Sign up at: Course (#316108) OR
• Saturday, April 18 from 10am – 1pm. Sign up at: Course (#316109) 

Classes to be held at Germantown Campus of Montgomery College; direction sent upon registration.  $13 for Friends of Brookside Gardens or $15 for non-members

FrogWatch

The Montgomery County FrogWatch Program has entered its second year! The chapter is an exciting new way for individuals and families to participate in citizen science and to learn more about amphibians and the wetlands they live in.  Upcoming trainings are in the field, as the preliminary classroom training was held in March.

• Wednesday April 1^st and alternative day in case of inclement weather: Thursday April 2^nd
• Tuesday, April 7^th and alternative day in case of inclement weather: Wednesday April 8^th

For more information, email Ken Mack.

Montgomery County GreenFest

Although a little early (Saturday, March 28), the inaugural Montgomery County GreenFest is a great way to kick off Earth Month activities.  It will be a day of learning and fun with kids activities like tree climbing in Jesup Blair Park, guest speakers and panels and environmental films. Learn more at www.montgomerycountygreenfest.org.