In the quest for better water quality, farmers and city residents share a vital common goal: protecting our shared water resources by managing runoff. Host Jamie Duininck speaks with Ann Zawistoski and Sophie Wicklund of the Adopt-a-Drain program to draw a direct line between agricultural and urban water management practices. Just as farmers use practices like buffer strips, bioreactors, and controlled drainage to minimize nutrient loss, our “city cousins" clean their local storm drains to prevent urban pollutants like leaves and debris from entering waterways.Adopt-a-Drain empowers the public to take responsibility for stormwater management, recognizing that urban stormwater runoff is a major source of water pollution. The program encourages residents to adopt a storm drain near their home and clean it just twice a month. This simple, hands-on approach transforms the public's understanding of their impact on the watershed, leading to broader behavioral changes. The collective results prove the power of individual action, with over 30,000 adopted drains and nearly one million pounds of debris removed across the country. Tune in to discover the powerful parallels between urban and agricultural water quality practices and how community engagement is successfully working toward clean water for everyone.Chapters:00:00 Introduction00:36 Adopt-a-Drain Guest Introductions01:57 The Urban Stormwater Challenge04:00 How the Adopt-a-Drain Program Works05:40 Nearly 1 Million Pounds of Debris Removed06:35 Behavior Change07:50 Adopt-a-Drain's Origins and Inspiration10:52 Why Small, Frequent Cleanings Make a Big Difference13:56 Engaging Participants Year-Round15:53 Funding and Partnerships19:42 The Parallels to Ag Water Management25:39 Expanding the MovementRelated Content:#138 | Set It & Forget It... Making Controlled Water Management Accessible with Agri Drain#56 | A More Efficient Approach to Water Quality: Batch and Build#14 | Opportunities in Water QualityAdopt-a-DrainFind us on social media!Facebook Twitter InstagramListen on these podcast platforms:Apple Podcasts Spotify YouTube MusicYouTubeVisit our website to explore more episodes & water management education.

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