Recently, the Hernando Sun published an article about reducing nitrogen levels in Florida’s water sources. In an effort to help the environment, protect wildlife, and bring awareness to these environmental issues, one Eagle Scout made it his mission to organize a project to call attention to responsibly handling waste materials.
According to the website www.boyscouttrail.com, to become an Eagle Scout young men must have earned 21 merit badges, spent a minimum of six months as a Life Scout, and propose a service project which will benefit their community, a religious organization, or a school.
On Saturday, September 24th, at eight in the morning, I met with Robert Wallace-Lang to discuss his Eagle Scout project. He explained to me that their purpose there was to use spray paint to stencil storm drains (with colorful images of fish and mermaids), in an effort to persuade community members not to dump trash into the drains.
He also explained that he had done this project before, a few years prior, and suggested doing the project again.
“I thought it would be fun to do it again,” Robert said.
Fueled by donuts, orange juice, and water, the young men of troop 71, scoutmaster Robert Wilson, along with their friends and family members followed Hernando County stormwater engineer Clay Black to begin work on prepping the tops of the storm drains for painting and to actually use the stencils.
Before the project officially started, I had the opportunity to speak with Mr. Black. He’s with the county’s stormwater department.
“Our goal, basically, is to decrease inadvertent pollution throughout the county. That’s basically what we’re doing here – we’re trying to increase awareness of the problem, instill that awareness into these young folks. And also, when they put these stencils out on the inlets, it informs the entire community, maybe to give them a last little notice before they dump something down the drain,” Mr. Black explained. “It’s basically an outreach project, a public education project to make people aware that everyone can do their part to prevent pollution.”
He explained that there’s currently a program to help make the water in the Weeki Wachee spring cleaner, and as was explained previously in the article, to decrease the nitrogen levels in the water. This Eagle Scout project will contribute to making the environment cleaner, as the storm drains eventually lead into the groundwater.
Mr. Black went on to demonstrate how to scrub the cement top of the storm drain with a wire brush, sweep it clean with a broom, and then properly spray paint it for the best results.
Members of the troop took turns preparing the next drain, and Robert then completed the painting process. After Robert delegated each person to specific groups and cover the area most effectively, each went on their way to continue painting the drains.
Robert Wallace and the troop are considering participating in an upcoming coastal cleanup, as well as adopting a road.
“That’ll keep them active, you know, and they’ll always have a service project where they can give back to the community,” explained Robert’s mother, Michelle Stout.
If you’re an artist, art related business, or have an interesting lead for an art-related story, be sure to contact Elizabeth Dentato at edentato1@gmail.com.