Are you a teacher, administrator, or parent involved with a participating school? Want to learn more about the pledge drive and the prize your school might get if you win? You have come to the right place.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean to “adopt” a storm drain?
It’s a simple commitment that’s fun for the whole family. Basically, you pledge to check on a nearby storm drain, remove trash, and report problems to the appropriate local authority. Those who take the pledge will receive complete instructions.
Why does the Alliance for Downriver Watersheds want residents to adopt storm drains?
It’s an easy step that residents can take to prevent water pollution and flooding. Storm drains connect our streets and parking lots to local waterways. If they drain clean stormwater, that’s good! If they drain dirty water, that’s pollution. And if they don’t drain, that causes flooding.
What is the ADW Schools for Clean Water Contest?
This is a public service campaign to reduce pollution in the “downriver” portion of southern Wayne County, Michigan. Residents pledge to adopt a local storm drain and assign their pledge to a participating school. Schools that collect the most pledges win cash prizes they can use to purchase educational materials or support school projects.
How do schools sign up for the contest?
Schools need to sign up by September 30, 2024, by filling out our sign up form. Schools who sign up before June 1, 2024, will be awarded 50 extra credit pledges right off the bat!
Who is eligible to take the pledge and assign it to a school?
Anyone aged 18 and over may take the pledge and assign the pledge to a participating school. There is a limit of one pledge per email address.
Can teachers, school staff, school board, and local government employees take the pledge?
Yes, anyone aged 18 and over may take the pledge online and assign the pledge to a participating school. There is a limit of one pledge per email address.
Can students under the age of 18 take the pledge?
No. We do not collect email addresses or other personal information from minors. Only students aged 18 and older may take the pledge online.
Students can participate through extra credit activities put on by their school. Learn more on our School Resources Page.
Which schools are eligible to win prizes?
For 2024, the contest is open to all primary and secondary schools that are in Alliance of Downriver Watersheds member communities. These communities are:
• Allen Park
• Belleville
• Dearborn Heights
• Ecorse
• Flat Rock
• Gibraltar
• Grosse Ile Township
• Inkster
• Lincoln Park
• Melvindale
• Riverview
• Rockwood
• Romulus
• Southgate
• Sumpter Township
• Taylor
• Trenton
• Van Buren Township
• Westland
• Woodhaven-Brownstown School District
• Wyandotte
What are the prizes and what can the schools do with them?
The Alliance of Downriver Watersheds will award $5,000 in cash prizes to the winning schools as follows:
• First Place: $1,500
• Second Place: $1,250
• Third Place: $1,000
In addition, any school that doesn’t win first, second, or third place — but collects 100 pledges or more — will be eligible to win one of five “wild card” prizes of $250. Schools may use their prize money for any legitimate educational purpose. Past winners have used prize money to help fund programs like an outdoor classroom, a reading garden for special education students, adding native plants and vegetables to school gardens, improving and beautifying school grounds and play areas, and other green initiatives.
How do schools win prizes?
Between October 14, 2024 at 9:00 a.m. and October 28, 2024 at 9:00 a.m., residents will pledge to “adopt” a local storm drain. When they pledge, they can designate their pledge to a participating school.
Can we encourage parents, faculty, and alumni to pledge and designate our school?
Of course! That’s the whole point. To help schools secure pledges, we have created sample promotional materials. Schools can download these from the School Resources page.
What is a Green School and how can my school become one?
The Wayne County Green Schools program recognizes schools who implement energy saving and environmental activities in their school. Annual applications open in January and are due at the end of February. Visit the Wayne County Green Schools webpage for more information.
How do I submit my extra credit?
Student Pledge Poster: Take a photo of the signed poster and submit the photo using the Extra Credit Submission form.
Blue Shirt Day: Take a photo of a group of your students in blue shirts and submit the photo using the Extra Credit Submission form.
Photos and the name of the school must be submitted prior to the close of the contest on October 28, 2024, at 9:00 a.m. ET. All photos submitted may be used by the Alliance of Downriver Watersheds for future marketing and outreach. By submitting photos you agree to this use and represent that subjects have granted permission to have their photo taken for school purposes.
Learn more about the extra credit opportunities on our School Resources page.