Selkirk Secondary School paint the town for fish

Grade 8 students paint the town for fish to help keep their local watershed healthy.

By painting a fish silhouette near storm drains downtown in the Platzl and near the school, the community is reminded that the storm water goes untreated, directly into Mark Creek. Recovering Westslope cutthroat trout and other aquatic life require clean water to be healthy.

“These Grade 8 eco-stewards from Selkirk Secondary School took what they learned through Columbia Basin Trust’s Know Your Watershed education program and put it into student action to help protect water quality for fish in Mark Creek,” said educator Patty Kolesnichenko. “The community was so supportive of their efforts including Burrito Grill and Snow Drift Cafe who provided discounted food, Home Hardware discounted equipment and paint, and the City of Kimberley loaned high visible vests and brooms to students and made them the fish stencils.”

During the day students talked to community members while they painted and reminded people that the water that runs off their properties, driveways and streets goes into Mark Creek and to dispose of oils, paints and chemicals at the appropriate places, not down the storm drain.

The positive community feedback really encouraged students and they want to do it again next year commented Kolesnichenko.

The student action project was part of Know Your Watershed, a water stewardship program developed by Columbia Basin Trust and local environmental educators, a program managed and delivered by Wildsight. To learn more, visit the website.