Eagle Scouts Install Medallions Over Stormwater Drains to Protect DuPage River

Submitted by the Village of Woodridge.

WOODRIDGE, IL — The fish in the East Branch of the DuPage River can breathe a little easier now that Eagle Scout candidate Gavin Thomas and his fellow Boy Scouts have helped remind people of the importance of keeping our waterbodies clean. Roughly a week and a half ago, Gavin and 20 volunteers made up of parents and boy scouts headed out into the area near the East Branch of the DuPage River to apply stormwater medallions to the top of stormwater sewer drains.

The medallions, made of a durable material that is colorful to catch the eye, were applied to the top of storm sewer drains located both west and east of the river in residential areas near Seven Bridges. Containing a message reminding people that the storm sewer system drains to the river, the medallions were provided to the scouts through SCARCE, a DuPage County sustainability organization with funding from the DuPage Foundation. The Village worked with Mr. Thomas to organize and plan the event.

The medallions play an important role in reminding people to protect the river by keeping it free of contaminants. In total, 165 medallions were installed by the group.

When asked how he felt about the project, Gavin responded, “I helped out for a great cause which makes this Eagle project even more meaningful." He is now working on the final report for the Eagle project workbook with plans to complete it by the end of November. At that time, it will be sent to the Boy Scout Council for approval.

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Photos courtesy of the Village of Woodridge.