Public Outreach Ideas for Stormwater Management Plans

Public education and outreach are vital components of a successful Stormwater Management Program (SWMP). By raising awareness and encouraging community involvement, municipalities can foster better practices that protect local waterways. The following list offers a variety of outreach ideas that towns and cities can incorporate into their SWMP efforts.

Public Outreach Ideas for Municipal SWMPs

Printed Materials

• Distribute stormwater pollution prevention brochures with water/sewer bills

• Mail stormwater fact sheets to residents annually

• Display posters and flyers in municipal buildings, libraries, and community centers

• Develop educational bookmarks for libraries and school programs

Digital Outreach

• Create a dedicated Stormwater or Watershed Health page on the municipal website

• Post monthly stormwater tips on municipal social media channels

• Publish articles about stormwater issues in the town newsletter or local newspaper

• Offer short videos on the municipal website or YouTube channel explaining local stormwater challenges and BMPs

Community Events

• Host an annual Stormwater Awareness Week or Watershed Festival

• Provide a stormwater education booth at farmers markets or town fairs

• Partner with local schools on art contests featuring clean water themes

• Organize stream cleanup days and promote them widely

• Offer storm drain marking events where volunteers label storm drains with “No Dumping” messages

School and Youth Engagement

• Conduct stormwater presentations in local schools and after-school programs

• Develop stormwater-themed activity packets for kids

• Coordinate with Scout groups for service projects (such as rain garden installation or storm drain marking)

Partnerships

• Collaborate with local watershed organizations or environmental groups on joint outreach campaigns

• Partner with garden clubs or conservation commissions to promote native plantings and rain gardens

• Work with local hardware stores to distribute educational materials with sales of fertilizers or pesticides

Hands-On Demonstrations

• Install a demonstration rain garden or permeable pavement area at a municipal facility

• Hold public workshops on topics like rain barrel installation or eco-friendly lawn care

• Offer tours of municipal stormwater BMPs (detention ponds, green roofs, bioretention areas)

Citizen Science & Participation

• Create a volunteer stormwater monitoring program or adopt-a-stream program

• Develop a citizen reporting app or hotline for illicit discharge reports

• Encourage residents to document and share photos of local waterways and habitat improvements

Effective stormwater outreach doesn’t have to be complicated, even small efforts can build public understanding and support. By engaging residents, schools, and community partners, municipalities can cultivate a culture of stewardship that helps keep local waters clean and healthy for generations to come.