Stream of Dreams

Griffiths Scott Middle School

October 2010

The Town of Millet and Millet in Bloom are proud to feature a wonderful water conservation project completed by 200 students of Griffiths-Scott Middle School, organized by teacher Annie Smith, taught by Val Schmacher and Karen Terwnion from Calgary ‘Stream of Dreams’ (a non-profit society originating in BC). This program is fairly new to Alberta with Millet's Griffiths-Scott Middle School as one of the first in Alberta to use this program. Sponsoring the project were Millet F.R.O.G.S (Friends and Relatives of Griffiths-Scott Society, BP Plywood of Wetaskiwin, and Family Volunteers.

Eco-Education with a focus on local Watersheds, Streams, Rivers and the Ocean
Where is your local stream?
Where does the water come from?
Where does it go?
How do storm drains work?
Where does your drinking water come from?
What changes in behavior can we all make to protect water and fish habitat? 

 Creating a Community Art Legacy, a Reminder of Environmental Responsiblity
Dream of a future with healthy streams.
What will your Dreamfish look like?
Paint a wooden fish.
Set it free along a chain link fence.
Individual Dreamfish join to create a Stream of Dreams

Take Care

Griffiths-Scott Middle School is a UNESCO school which allows our students to learn about the world and environmental &social issues. This project was meant to be a learning tool on water conservation & protection of water, watershed, and the effects on the eco-system by what people put down the drain. The project looked specifically at Millet and its effects on the ecosystem from creeks, to lakes, to oceans. Prior to the presenters arriving in Millet for two days, there was 6 weeks of preparation, purchasing materials, preparing the students , tracing, cutting and priming 200 fish shapes out of plywood. Volunteers consisted of the students, several teachers, grandpas, parents, older siblings and some of the community at large. Each class was given a one hour presentation and one hour workshop to teach the children and the community about local water supplies and how daily actions affect our water and to teach them to conserve, protect, and restore fish habitat, then each student had fun painting a fish. The second day grandpas, teachers, parents, and other volunteers arrived with pliers in hand to help attach the fish to the fence with wire in a predetermined design and the media took pictures. After one week Annie Smith and her art class went out and painted a sealant on all the fish. The mural of fish and description panel is a colorful addition to beautification in the community, a wonderful piece of public art to residents and visitors, and a reminder to the community of the importance of conservation & protection of water, watershed and the effects on the ecosystem. 

written by Millet in Bloom, chair Carol Sadoroszney
 

A stream in need- How can you help take care of your local stream, river, lake and the ocean?

- Make sure that only rainwater goes down rain drains (storm drains).

- Reduce or eliminate your use of harsh or toxic chemicals indoors and out.
- Garden organically - reduce or eliminate use of inorganic fertilizers and pesticides.
- Collect your rainwater and use it to water your gardens and lawns.
- Tear up concrete or pavement on your property and replace it with lawn or gardens.
- Plant trees and shrubs, especially local native species.
- Wash your car on the lawn or other surface that can soak up the water and use minimal, biodegradable soap.
- Drive your car as little as possible - much of urban creek pollution is washed off our streets. Walk, ride a bicycle or take transit, carpool, combine shopping trips.
- Return unused medications to your pharmacy. DO NOT flush them down the toilet!
- Educate local politicians about taking care of local streams and wetlands - encourage them to make raingardens along streets and parking lots in your community.
- NEVER let clean-up water from concrete mixing go into a storm drain.
- Join your local stream stewardship group or organize one and start looking after your creek. Visit the Pacific Streamkeepers Federation, pskf.ca, to learn all about streamkeeping.