FBSR Adopts a Drain

Friends of the Big Sioux River is working with the City of Sioux Falls to raise awareness about water quality! Find out how FBSR, the City, and a local artist are helping to remind Sioux Falls residents that what goes down the drain ends up in our river!If you’re a Sioux Falls resident, you may find that your streets are a little more colorful these days. This year, the City has initiated a Storm Drain Art program, which allows downtown businesses to sponsor area storm drains. Sponsors paint artwork on storm drains to raise awareness that anything that enters a storm drain ends up directly in the river.As part of this initiative, Friends of the Big Sioux River is excited to announce their sponsorship of a Sioux Falls storm drain!Jennifer Schmidtbauer, a representative of Raven Industries and outreach chair for Friends of the Big Sioux River, was working with the City of Sioux Falls on Earth Day and sustainability projects when she came across the opportunity for FBSR to get their hands dirty. For Schmidtbauer, the choice to involve FBSR in Sioux Falls’ water awareness project was easy. Finding an artist, on the other hand, presented quite the challenge.As luck would have it, Karen Meyer, a Water Reclamation lab tech, expressed interest in FBSR, reaching out to the organization through Facebook. In addition to working for the City’s Water Reclamation department, Meyer also happened to be a talented artists who readily agreed to help FBSR make a beautiful visual statement. Her motivation stemmed from wanting to help correct the popular misconception that water entering the storm drain heads to the water treatment plant. Schmidtbauer described Meyer’s approach to the project as “passionate,” and “enthusiastic.” Working with her has been a wonderful experience! Schmidtbauer said, “It seemed like fate connected us and I’m excited to work with her on this project (and hopefully more) as FBSR continues to focus on public education and awareness this year.”Meyer has worked for the City of Sioux Falls for 19 years. When asked about water quality in Sioux Falls, she proudly declares, "I am 100% invested in Sioux Falls' water quality because I see it daily...I thoroughly enjoy my job but it is disheartening to see the effects of our actions on the river." She hopes the Storm Drain Art Project will raise public awareness. She keenly observes that "fresh water is so limited and taken for granted that we need to start taking responsibility to clean up our mess. Everyone needs to take an active role in preserving our future by either educating themselves and/or actively cleaning up our river."This passion for the environment can be seen in the stirring image Meyer created of two geese floating in the river, one drinking the water. The image reminds us of the true dependence all animals (including oursevles) have on water, a resource necessary for survival. Meyer found the inspiration for this painting in the Sioux Falls greenway. She says, "I wanted to incorporate something that utilizes the river and has a constant presence and the Canadian goose came to mind. I wanted to capture a sensitive moment but yet something that may spark a visually appealing interest to citizens."Friends of the Big Sioux River is proud to participate in this endeavor for cleaner runoff. The proposed sketch (see above) has been approved and painting will be executed some time in May. Find Meyer’s beautiful work representing FBSR at 8th & Phillips Ave. in downtown Sioux Falls!