Official Project Title:
School District Initiative to Promote Sustainable Stormwater Management in Southeastern Pennsylvania
Completed June 2009
The Upper Moreland School District, located in the heart of densely developed Montgomery County, stepped forward as a pilot district to become a model of sustainable stormwater management, and became a leader in the region in environmental education. In Partnership with the Upper Moreland School District, the Center for Sustainable Communities (CSC) developed a plan to incorporate sustainable stormwater management practices on all District owned properties and to integrate the stormwater best management practice (BMP) facilities into its science and math curricula, as well as to develop environmental educational opportunities for K-12 students.
Similar to most other school districts located in the older suburbs of Philadelphia, the Upper Moreland School District in Montgomery County had no stormwater management on its 50+ acre campus. This program was important because in densely populated areas, there are few options for improving stormwater management. School districts in Southeastern Pennsylvania typically have large campuses with no stormwater management, thereby offering the potential to make a difference in the region where few options exist.
For this pilot program the CSC acted as a technical and educational advisor:
- Conducting site visits and identifying appropriate locations and types of stormwater BMP facilities.
- Preparing requests for proposals and selecting competent contractors to design and construct BMPs.
- Applying for state and federal funds.
- Developing hands-on lab assignments, student led monitoring programs, and other activites to enhance the Districts's science and mathematics curricula.
- Developing and coordinating outreach efforts.
