Yellow Fish Road™
Presentation Notes
Slide 1
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The Yellow Fish Road™ program was developed by Trout Unlimited Canada
(TUC), in the early 90’s. Based out of Calgary, TUC has shared this program with
partners like the TRCA across Canada and even internationally.
Slide 2
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What is a healthy watershed? (5 min)
The water cycle and pollution (5 min)
Taking Action!
• The Yellow Fish Road™ Program (10 min)
• Safety First! (5 min)
• How else can you help? (5 min)
- Thank you!
Slide 3
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A watershed is an area of land where all of the water (rain, run-off, groundwater,
etc.) drains to a common point, usually a river or lake.
Slide 4
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Ask the audience what you would expect to find in a healthy watershed
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Possible answers: clean water (not to be confused with clear water as this may
not necessarily mean it’s clean), rocks, trees, and animals – ask what kinds of
animals specifically.
Slide 5
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Mammals like us require clean water to drink, but many also live in or near the
water. If time permits, ask the audience if they can identify the mammals in the
slide.
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Pictured: Otters, Beavers, Muskrats, and Raccoons
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Note: click the slide a second time to reveal the labels for the pictures in the
slides
Slide 6
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Many fish call the watersheds of Southern Ontario home. Ask if there are any
fisher-people in the audience and see if they can identify these fish.
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One of the major threats to these fish is “thermal” pollution. Most of the
pictured fish are cold-water adapted. As rainwater falls on our cities, it absorbs
heat from the many roads and rooftops that cover our urban areas. This “runoff” can be several degrees warmer than the normal seasonal water
temperatures. When run-off water flows into our local rivers and streams, it
alters the preferred habitats of these animals and may lead to stress or even
death.
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Pictured: Rainbow Trout, Chinook Salmon, and Largemouth Bass
Slide 7
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Amphibians are very sensitive to water pollution due to their habitually aquatic
lifestyle and semi-permeable skin. Most amphibians can exchange gases through
their skin and likewise can easily absorb contaminants in the water. For this
reason, they are often described as “indicator species”, meaning that their status
in an ecosystem can give you a good indication of the health of that ecosystem.
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Pictured: American Bullfrog, Blue-spotted Salamander, and Eastern Newt
Slide 8
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Because reptiles are exothermic (cold-blooded) we have fewer reptile species in
Canada than warmer countries to the south. Ontario boasts dozens of species of
turtles and snakes, but only one species of lizard, the Five-lined Skink.
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Pictured: Snapping Turtle, Spotted Turtle, Northern Water Snake, and Five-lined
Skink
Slide 9
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Birds are one of the most visible types of wildlife that we have here in Ontario,
and there are a lot of them! Did you know that there are more species of bird in
the world, about 10,000, than there are of any other vertebrate (backboned)
animal? To compare, mammals include only about 5700 species, including of
course Homo sapiens – humans!
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Pictured: Kingfisher, Mallard, Killdeer, and Great Blue Heron
Slide 10
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Invertebrates are very important to the health of an aquatic ecosystem. They are
at the base of the food chain and without them, many of the animals we’ve seen
in the previous slides wouldn’t exist. A lot of these invertebrates are also
indicator species.
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Pictured: Clearwater Crayfish, Water Boatmen, and Green Darner Dragonfly
Slide 11
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Plants form the other major base of the food chain. Some plants, like
phytoplankton, are so small that we can’t even see them. There are lots of plants
that have adapted to live really close to or even in the water. Willows are waterloving trees; Northern Blue Flags are Iris that love the moist soil on the riverbank,
while both Cattails and Pond Lilies live right in the water! These plants not only
provide food and habitat for many animals, but they also help to filter out
contaminants in the water with their extensive, fibrous root systems.
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Pictured: Black Willows, Blue Flag Iris, Yellow Pond Lily, and Cattail
Slide 12
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Humans use water in a variety of ways. Drinking, recreation like swimming and
boating, and washing things like our food, bodies, clothes, and cars are all
activities that we like or need to do.
Slide 13
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Most of you are probably familiar with the term “Water Cycle”. Terms like
evaporation, precipitation and condensation are part of this movement of water.
Here are some new ones you may not be familiar with but are also important to
know:
o Infiltration is the downward movement of water through the soil. When
water infiltrates, it goes through a filtration process and ends up at the
water table cleaner than it was when it first entered the soil.
o Transpiration involves how a plant breathes. They exchange gases,
including water vapour, through their leaves!
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What’s most important to understand is that water is always moving – up, down,
out, in, sideways. As it moves it may also take any pollution that’s mixed with it.
That means that just like water, pollution rarely stays in one place. Scientists
have tracked coal from power plants in China all the way to Inuit communities in
the far North!
Slide 14
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Ask the audience what happens when it rains in a forest? Where does all of that
water go?
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Possible Answers: absorbed by the plants, sucked down into the soil, run-off into
the river, evaporates from puddles, etc.
Slide 15
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Ask the audience what happens when it rains in a city? Is there a lot of open soil
or plants?
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Answer: No, most of this rain water lands on the roofs of buildings, or the hard
surfaces of asphalt and concrete.
Slide 16
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After it hits the roof, it travels down the eavestrough and into the downspout
(pictured). It then continues down the driveway and down the curb…
Slide 17
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…into the storm drain, out the outfall pipes (ask the kids if they have ever seen
one of these before) and into the creek, or river.
Slide 18
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Sometimes this water gets polluted, and in some cases it actually becomes
dangerous for us to swim in! Ask the audience what they think is causing this
pollution. The answers can be found on the following slide
Slide 19
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Garbage and litter are problems because they impede the function of the storm
drain. When the drains are too clogged with debris, this can flood not only the
roads but people’s houses as well.
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Soaps and detergents most commonly get into the water like this (point out
picture on slide). Washing your car on the driveways is basically the same as
washing it directly in the lake, because that’s where all of the run-off water ends
up. Many detergents contain phosphates, compounds that encourage the
growth of an aquatic plant called algae. Algae is the same plant that makes a fish
tank slimy if you don’t clean it often enough. This plant is fine in small amounts
but with an infusion of these phosphates, which is essentially fertilizer for these
plants, they can grow very rapidly out of control. This plant will crowd out all
others in the water. Even worse, when it starts to die off, its decomposition will
de-oxygenate the water, making it very difficult for the invertebrates, fish and
amphibians to survive there. This is called “eutrophication”.
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Looking for alternatives to washing your car on your driveway? Take your car to
the car wash. Car washes by law have to be hooked up to the sewage system.
Water that passes through the sewage system will get cleaned by municipal
waste water treatment plants. Some even recycle the water on the spot. You can
also buy biodegradable soaps which will break-down in the environment before
they can negatively impact it. Look for the biodegradable label on the container.
Finally, you can wash your car on the lawn. That way, infiltration will take care of
most of the soap and dirt coming off of your car before it gets to the storm drain.
Don’t worry, if done in moderation, it won’t hurt your lawn.
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Road salt is an issue here in Ontario with our cold icy winters. Some
municipalities are looking into using alternatives such as beet juice to help melt
the ice. Some regions, like the Region of Peel, have a policy to proactively apply
a salty brine, or liquid to their roads before ice has the chance to form. It takes a
lot less salt to prevent the ice from forming than it does to melt it after it has
frozen solid.
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Pools are frequently drained into the storm drains. Pools contain chemicals like
chlorine, which are designed to kill bacteria and other animal life including
invertebrates – the very same invertebrates we want in our rivers! Draining onto
your lawn is an alternative, although that’s not an option for most people. Have
a professional service remove the water and dispose of it responsibly.
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Car Fluids commonly find their way into our waterways. Gasoline, diesel, motor
oil, windshield washer fluid, coolant, and antifreeze are all potentially hazardous
to our ecosystem. Make sure that your vehicle is properly maintained and
checked regularly for leaks. If you want to change the oil yourself, capture the
old oil and take it to a hazardous waste depot. Many auto shops and retail stores
will also take this used oil as well, usually at no charge. Remember, one drop of
oil will make 25 litres of water undrinkable!
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Any household hazardous waste should be taken to the local hazardous waste
depot and never be poured down the storm drain or sewage pipes. This includes
paint, paint thinner, varnish, cleaners, bleaches, combustibles, toxic or
poisonous chemicals, pesticides and herbicides, etc.
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Over-fertilizing can lead to eutrophication of the lake or river. Eutrophication
means an increase in algae at the expense of other organisms in the water and a
general reduction in water quality.
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For the same reason we don’t want pools draining into our storm drains, we
don’t want pesticides in there either.
Slide 20
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So how are we going to help?
Slide 21
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The Yellow Fish Road™ Program!
Slide 22
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Each group of six will receive one Yellow Fish Road™ Kit (pictured). Make sure
each kit has a paint roller, a broom, one or two pairs of gloves, paint, a clipboard
with data sheet, a stencil, and several dozen fish flyers. Additionally, each group
will carry two pylons and each group member will wear a safety vest.
Slide 23
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Each group will have 4 orange pylons with reflective tape
Before beginning to paint, place two pylons on the curb 1m away from either
side of the storm drain
Place the remaining two pylons 1m apart on the curb in the area leading up to
the storm drain.
Once the pylons are in place, the safety guards can take up their positions on
either side of the storm drain
When you go outside there is a role for each person in the group. The roles are
interchangeable so everyone should have a chance to do each of them. The roles
are as follows…
Slide 24
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The first role is the Road Guards. There will be two, one for each side of the
storm drain. These “Safety Superheroes” must protect their citizens (the other
participants). Taking a pylon each they will stand on the curb and place their
pylon on the curb, one on each side of the drain. The other two pylons should be
placed 1m apart on the curb in the area leading up to the storm drain. Once the
pylons are in place they will then stand on the curb and watch both sides of the
road for traffic, warning their team if cars get too close.
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Note: They should not flag down any vehicles nor step onto the road at any time.
Slide 25
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The Brushers will use the broom and clean the part of the curb that will be
painted. This is the curb that is immediately adjacent to the storm drain, and not
the road or the drain itself. Once clean of debris, the brusher will hold the stencil
in place for the painter. If there are two pairs of gloves in your kit the brusher
and the painter should wear them.
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The Painter will take the paint and drop a small amount (about loonie-sized) in
the centre of the stencil. They will then roll the paint evenly with the roller.
Downward force helps make the image sharp and crisp. When done, the Brusher
will fold the stencil inwards to keep the wet side from making a mess.
Slide 26
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Please note where the fish has been painted. It is not on the road. It is not on the
driveway or sidewalk. It is not on the drain. It is on the curb above the drain!
Slide 27
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While the others are painting, one adult (if there is a second adult in the group)
and two group members will take the fish hangers and distribute them to each
house along the painting route.
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Delivery Rules (for children)
o Stay within sight of your adult supervisor!
o Stay on the same block as the painting crew.
o Go to the door in teams of two.
o If you think the house is unsafe for ANY REASON, do not put a hanger
there.
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Deliver Fish Hangers (in order of preference):
o In the mailbox
o Under a floor mat (have the fish’s head sticking out, so that the homeowner can find it)
o On the doorknob
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Ensure that the hangers are secure and will not end up as litter on the street!
Slide 28
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Don’t forget to record your data! This is very important! The TRCA needs to
know how many drains you painted and flyers you delivered on each of the
streets you were working on, as well how many people were in your group. This
is a major responsibility, so the adult volunteers are best suited for this role,
unless you have a mature group of students.
Slide 29
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We’re able to continue running the Yellow Fish Road™ program because our
participants follow these safety rules. We need special permission from the city
to paint above the storm drains, and we need your help to make sure everyone
in the group is following these simple rules:
o Stay off the road at all times (you will be painting the storm drains from
curbside on the sidewalk or boulevard)
o Always wear your safety vests
o Always place your pylons in front of the storm drain that you are marking
o Select road guards who are up to the challenge of staying alert to any
dangers
o Please do not pick up any litter
Slide 30
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Additional Safety Tips
o Stay together as a group
o Make sure that you have at least one adult for every youth participant,
and that each group is accompanied by an adult
o Parent volunteers should lead by example:
 Use the sidewalks
 Only cross the road at designated cross walks
Slide 31
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What’s wrong with this picture?
o No Road guards/Road guard not paying attention
o People on the road
o Volunteer not leading by example
Note: All remaining slides can be done before or after the painting portion depending on
your timeframe.
Slide 32
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What else can you do to help?
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Possible answers: Recycle, turn-off taps and lights, use eco-friendly products…
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Water Conservation Ideas:
o Take short showers (baths use more water)
o Wash your car at the gas station where the water is re-used and then
sent to the water filtration facility rather than down the storm drain
o Water your lawn in the morning or evening so it doesn’t evaporate
quickly
o Don’t cut your grass too short as it will need more water to survive hot
summer days (longer grass holds more water)
o Put the dish washer on only when it is full or wash by hand
o Wash a full load of laundry rather than just one pair of pants or one item
Slide 33
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There’s more: compost, make sure you dispose of hazardous materials
responsibly, etc.
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Energy Conservation Ideas:
o Conserve energy at home and work (lights off, game stations off, reduce
household temperatures in winter, raise them in the summer, plant trees
to shade houses in summer, plant shrubs to help block wind in winter,
etc.)
o Eat locally! Buying local food when possible means that you don’t require
as much transportation (gas) to move your food from the field to your
table
o Eat less meat. Fruits, grains and vegetables require less water and energy
to produce than animals
o Bike or walk instead of driving
o Hang your clothes on the line to dry (the sun is nature’s drying machine!)
Slide 34
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Rain garden: Landscape depressions underlain with a filter bed comprised of a
mixture of sand/granular and organic material
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Rain barrel: Collects rain water from your roof and stores it until you are ready to
use it; reduces the amount of water flowing directly into storm drains
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Downspouts: Channel your downspout into a grassy area and away from the
pavement
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Permeable Pavement: Allow water to percolate through your driveway and into
the ground rather than going down the storm drain
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Naturalized lawns: Naturalization is about creating dynamic, natural landscapes
with less lawn and more trees, shrubs and flowers. Native species are important
because they involve less lawn mowing, less watering, and provide important
food sources and habitat for local wildlife
Slide 35
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Toronto and Region Conservation Authority has a step by step homeowner’s
guide storm water landscaping projects. Contact the TRCA to learn more about
our “Greening your Grounds” guide.
Slide 36: Taking Action is Easy!
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Pictured (from left to right) rain garden and lawn naturalization
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Encourage adults who are interested in learning more to ask you about our
Greening Your Grounds Guide and upcoming workshops
Slide 37
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Remember: Storm drains are NOT sewers
Slide 38
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…And responsible choices make for healthy watersheds! Thank you!
Slide 39
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Yellow Fish Road™ partners and supporters
Slide 40
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Contact the TRCA for more information about the Yellow Fish Road™ program