Volunteer Opportunities

River sweep volunteers

The Clean Sweep of the Great Miami River...

is an annual clean-up event of the Great Miami River and its floodplain. More information about the event can be found on our Clean Sweep webpage, or by contacting our office at 513-887-3720 or by email.

   

Butler County Stream team volunteers collecting a sample from a bridge

Butler County Stream Team...

water quality monitoring program involves two different volunteer opportunities. Volunteers can collect water samples once a month from various locations around the county, such as their neighborhood stream. These water samples are then transported to the monitoring lab at Miami University, Oxford. There, volunteers test these samples for various pollutants. For more information please visit the Butler County Stream Team's website or contact Lynn White at 513-887-3720 or by email.

   

Cleaning the drain

Cleaning the drain's surface of rust and debris

Appkying glue

Applying glue to the label

Affixing the label to the drain

Sticking the label to the storm drain

Storm drain stenciling...

has evolved into a decal application program, however the purpose is the same. Most of the storm drains in Butler County are not connected to a water treatment facility. Pollutants entering the storm drain, either dumped purposely or carried in by rainwater, simply empties into a creek, ditch, or other waterway. These new decals are attached to the covers of the drains to inform people who may be dumping pollutants; oil, fertilizers, pesticides, yard waste, etc., to where these toxins will reenter the environment. The Butler SWCD along with the Butler County Storm Water District have been working with volunteer groups to place these decals on storm drains around the county. To find out more, contact Lynn White at 513-887-3720 or by email.

Volunteers who have labeled drains in the past include, concerned homeowners, FFA chapters, boy scouts, girl scouts, high school students, college students, and homeowners associations. Thank you to all of them!