Ossining stenciling project aims to reduce trash entering the Hudson
July 17, 2018
Riverkeeper Team
In partnership with Green Ossining and the Village of Ossining Department of Public Works, Riverkeeper is working with community volunteers to reduce the amount of street litter entering the Hudson River through Ossining's stormwater system. The project involves stenciling storm drains in the Village of Ossining and educating volunteers and passersby about how trash on the streets can end up in the river.
The project kicked off on Saturday, May 5, as part of the annual Riverkeeper Sweep, and continued with two additional volunteer projects in June. In total, the projects have brought together over three dozen volunteers who stenciled nearly 100 storm drains. The stenciled messages alternate in Spanish and English, the two primary languages spoken by Ossining residents and by our stenciling volunteers.
Opportunities to participate in storm drain stenciling will continue into the fall, with more information on the Green Ossining website. By the conclusion of the project, any remaining storm drains in the Village of Ossining not stenciled by volunteers will be completed by the Village of Ossining Department of Public Works.
"We're proud to be working on this fun community project which will we feel will restrain litter abuse and draw much-needed attention to the Hudson River. And as a river town, it's important that we recognize the responsibility we have to care for the river. We're thankful too to Riverkeeper for spearheading this and enormously grateful for the genuine support of the Village's DPW and the community members who understand the value of this initiative."
– Suzie Ross, Chair of Green Ossining
“What better way to help community members recognize the connection between our behavior and our River? Riverkeeper and Green Ossining are terrific community partners.”
– Victoria Gearity, Ossining Mayor
Learn about Riverkeeper's larger efforts to reduce waste in this announcement on WFUV's Strike a Chord campaign.
The stencils were designed by local artists Jeff Dietz and Gabrielle Burger of Brieff Studios.
Photo: Fern Quezada
