May 12, 2020
Cooperative Extension Service helps Washington, Benton county residents to ‘Know the Flow — from Streets to Creeks’
By the U of A System Division of Agriculture
Fast Facts:
- Razorback Regional Trail System demo will highlight natural water flow
- Demo will illustrate how pollutants can enter waterways from streets and trails, as well as ways to abate it
- Visit www.uaex.uada.edu/nwastormwater for more information
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(Newsrooms: With additional art at https://www.flickr.com/gp/uacescomm/u6V4z6)
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Washington and Benton county residents availing themselves of some outdoor exercise on the Razorback Regional Greenway may have noticed a series of blue whiskers and stickers crossing the trail. The markers show the path of the waterways that flow through the area, often right underneath pedestrians’ feet.
The demonstration is an effort by the Northwest Arkansas Stormwater Education program that works with cities in the region to provide stormwater pollution prevention education. The blue 6-inch whiskers follow the water’s path from where it enters a storm drain to an outfall, where the drain empties into a nearby stream without going through any type of treatment process.
Jane Maginot, Washington County Cooperative Extension Service agent for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, manages the NWA Stormwater Education Program.
“Many people have the misconception that storm drains lead to a wastewater treatment plant, but that is incorrect in Northwest Arkansas,” Maginot said. “Any potential pollutants that may be on our city streets, parking lots and lawns — such as oil, litter, pet waste or fertilizers flow — directly to creeks, harming water quality.”
There are four demonstration locations currently installed on the Greenway, two of which are in Walker Park in Fayetteville. Another two are in Rogers: one near the New Hope Bridge and the other at the Horsebarn trailhead. The demonstrations will be moved to other locations throughout the year.
Pack Rat Outdoor Center, a Fayetteville outfitter, partnered with the Cooperative Extension Service for the project, donating a pair of Chaco sandals and several gift cards, to be awarded as prizes for individuals participating in the project’s online survey. To enter for a chance to win, fill out the survey at www.uaex.uada.edu/nwastormwater. The survey will end May 25.
To learn more about the Know the Flow whisker project, contact Jane Maginot at jmaginot@uada.edu or 479-684-9145.
To learn about extension programs in Arkansas, contact your local Cooperative Extension Service agent or visit www.uaex.uada.edu. Follow us on Twitter at @UAEX_edu.
About the Division of Agriculture
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s mission is to strengthen agriculture, communities, and families by connecting trusted research to the adoption of best practices. Through the Agricultural Experiment Station and the Cooperative Extension Service, the Division of Agriculture conducts research and extension work within the nation’s historic land grant education system.
The Division of Agriculture is one of 20 entities within the University of Arkansas System. It has offices in all 75 counties in Arkansas and faculty on five system campuses.
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension and Research programs to all eligible persons without regard to race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.
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Media contact:
Ryan McGeeney
Communications Services
University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture
Cooperative Extension Service
(501) 671-2120
rmcgeeney@uada.edu