June is coming to a close and the Mojave River Watershed Group is happy to wrap up another productive year of public outreach (July 2015 - June 2016). As part of the Phase II Small MS4 General Permit, MRWG is dedicated to providing community-based social marketing, education and outreach to the public. The MRWG website offers resources and materials for users to download, an online pledge form and a feature to report pollution if you witness illegal dumping. In addition to Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest, this year MRWG launched an Instagram account to create more engagement with our followers and share images of what we work on.

The outreach team connected with residents at Hesperia Days, Victor Valley Fall Festival, and the Apple Valley Chili Cook Off - and secured 1,143 pledges to support pollution prevention throughout the High Desert. By signing the pledge, community members work to stop pollution by taking proactive steps such as picking up after pets, cleaning up lawn clippings and trash, and organizing a cleanup event with friends. Last fall, MRWG sponsored communitywide clean-up events in Victorville, Apple Valley and Hesperia, and partnered with a team of 11 Victor Valley College Environmental Science students to clean up trash in Victorville. In November, the MRWG team presented Waterwise information to the Cactus Rim Garden Club.

An additional 266 Spring High Desert Home Show attendees pledged to support pollution prevention efforts. In an effort to make High Desert businesses stormwater savvy, a total of 72 employees from various businesses in the High Desert received stormwater pollution prevention trainings. Employees were given tips of how to prevent pollution by properly disposing of hazardous materials, with the intent to pass on the information to customers, friends, and family.

To engage High Desert youth on the importance of being stormwater savvy, MRWG visited eight schools and hosted 18 interactive assemblies with partners at the Victor Valley Animal Protective League. Curriculum kits, which include Stormwater Trooper pledge forms, MRWG's Campus Garden Guide, bookmarks, pencils, and activities were provided to 167 classrooms, impacting 4,954 students. MRWG awarded three students with the Top Water Award, which recognizes students whose Science Fair project addressed the importance of water protection and/or conservation.

Planning for our next year of outreach is in full swing! Interested in a free assembly for the 2016/2017 school year or scheduling a stormwater pollution prevention training at your local business? Call (951) 462-1106.