“The Yellow Fish Road was an excellent project for my Grade 4 students. It matches our science curriculum. Thanks again!” |
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Trout Unlimited Canada (TUC) is non-profit organization dedicated to ensuring that present and future generations have the opportunity to enjoy Canada’s freshwater resources. TUC and its member chapters work on a variety of stream habitat enhancement/stream restoration projects across Canada and help inform and educate the public about coldwater conservation issues and their local watersheds. For more information or to become a TUC member, please visit the TUC website. |
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Yellow Fish Road is a nation-wide environmental education program designed and managed by Trout Unlimited Canada. The Yellow Fish Road program’s goal is to help Canadians understand that stormdrains are the doorways to our rivers, lakes and streams. Preventing pollutants from entering our stormdrains is critical to protecting and improving water quality and aquatic habitat. |
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In most municipalities, storm drains flow directly into the local waterbody without being treated. Almost anything other than clean rainwater is harmful to fish and other aquatic life. This includes soap used to wash your family car (that is not biodegradable), excess fertilizer on the lawn that washes into the storm drain, dirt and oil from your driveway, and construction materials. These materials have an impact on all aquatic life, including plants, insects, fish and animals, as well as the humans that depend on the local waterbody. |
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 Storm drains are the grates found on the street by the curb. Runoff and rain water drain into these grates, go through a network of underground tunnels, and usually ends up in the local water body.
The water that goes down a storm drain is usually not treated to remove pollutants before it reaches the local waterbody.
Often, people simply do not realize that storm drains do not go to the sewage treatment plant, or that simple activities, such as allowing soapy water to enter the drains, can be harmful to aquatic life.
People may also be unaware of alternatives, such as pouring soapy water down their own household drains (which are treated at the sewage treatment plant before entering the river) or using biodegradable cleaning products. |
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Painting
Participants learn about their local water supply and how to protect it from hazardous wastes. They then mobilize the program's active component by painting yellow fish near storm drains to serve as a reminder that any materials going down storm drains affects us all. Some municipalities currently adhere plastic information discs next to or near the storm drain.
Door Hangers
The participants also leave “fish hangers,” information pamphlets printed on yellow fish-shaped brochures, on doors in the community to inform residents of why yellow fish have appeared in their neighbourhood. |
Other YFR components include:
- Grade Four Activity Booklet (available in English and French)
- Grade Nine Activity Booklet (available in English and French)
- Depending on your location, you may be able to book an on-site presentation for your class or community group, free of charge, from a local YFR Partner organization. In the Calgary, Edmonton and Guelph areas, presentations are available directly from Trout Unlimited Canada.
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