Environment & Conservation

Protecting surface and groundwater impacted by stormwater includes not only structural BMPs such as catch basin cleaning and street sweeping, but also engaging the public to participate in stormwater pollution prevention via an annual street and stream cleanup, a non-structural BMP. UMaine's Maine Day activities include litter collection, raking, and numerous cleaning and beautification activities inside and outside buildings. UMaine's stormwater management program leads outfall and stream cleanup teams to clean litter and debris directly from stormwater structures on the Stillwater River and detention ponds and rain gardens around campus.

A team of Maine Day volunteers from the Alumni Association take part in a Stillwater River bank cleanup in 2005.		Trash mixed with leaf and yard materials in the Stillwater River after heavy spring rains before Maine Day.		An FM HVAC employee takes part in Maine Day by raking and cleaning up around the shop on the Stillwater River.
A team member from the Alumni Association helps cleanup around one of the Orchard Lot outfalls in 2005.		A team from the Alumni Association scoures the edges of the Orchard Lot for trash from winter snow melt in 2005.		An old cooler and other junk was found and removed from a wetland on the Stillwater River.
More Alumni Association volunteers cruising the Stillwater River for trash on Maine Day 2005.		Why is stormwater pollution prevention so important? Sitting along the Stillwater River makes it clear.		One of the stormwater outfalls to the Stillwater River from campus drains after a heavy summer storm.
A team of Maine Day volunteers from Alpha Kappa Psi take part in a Stillwater River bank cleanup in 2006.		Storm drain grates need winter sand, leaves, and trash cleaned off in the spring to function properly and prevent pollution.		The Belgrade Lot detention pond collects wind blown litter that is carried by stormwater to the Penobscot River.
Volunteers from Alpha Kappa Psi help cleanup around the Belgrade Lot.		A volunteer from Alpha Kappa Psi collects trash around the Belgrade Lot detention pond.		Make every day Maine Day and Earth Day by helping put litter in its place to keep our rivers, streams, and lakes litter free.