YFR Day a success with the help of Shell Canada

In Ft. McMurray they painted faces — and storm drains. In Calgary, after stenciling storm drains they tied flies and practiced fly casting. And in both locations Shell Canada employee volunteers donated part of their time on Saturday, June 5th, to remind their neighbors that 'only rain belongs in storm drains.' The June 5th events sponsored by Shell Canada were part of 2010’s Yellow Fish Road™ Day, an awareness day aimed at reducing pollution from cities and towns across Canada.

Across Canada storm drains connect roads to the nearest river, lake, or stream, usually with very little, if any, treatment. The Yellow Fish Road™ program volunteers helps informs Canadians that storm drain pollution is one of the largest sources of freshwater pollution in North America.

In 2010 Shell Canada’s Environmental Fund awarded a $100,000 grant to the Yellow Fish Road™ program to continue its message that preventing pollutants from entering our storm drains is critical to protecting and improving water quality and aquatic habitat. Trout Unlimited Canada is grateful for the support of Shell Canada and thanks all Shell employees who participated in the June 5th YFR Day.

You did it!

In 2009, 11,910 storm drains were marked with yellow fish and 43,623 door knob hangers were delivered to houses. This brings the total to a whopping 45,720 drains and 177,251 hangers from 2005 to 2009!

Storm drain pollution can increase with each new home owner, car buyer or road built. The easily understandable message of the Yellow Fish Road program needs to be continuously reinforced by volunteers to tens of thousands of Canadians each year. Congratulations to all of those who increased awareness in 82 cities/communities across the country this year.