Yellow Fish might be spotted in your neighbourhood! The Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority is pleased to offer the Yellow Fish Road Program (YFR), delivered in partnership with Trout Unlimited Canada. It is a community-based program designed to reduce hazardous wastes entering our waters.

Every year, urban streams are polluted by runoff from streets and lawns. This runoff contains used motor oil, left over paint, garden chemicals, heavy metals and other contaminants. Our streams and lakes are home to many species of fish, wildlife and people! YFR reminds us that we can have a positive impact on our environment and on the wildlife and human life that rely upon it.

Though the YFR program, volunteer groups paint yellow fish symbols beside storm drains on street curbs. The fish symbols remind people that anything poured down most storm drains pollutes nearby streams and can impact fish, wildlife and people.Volunteers deliver fish-shaped leaflets to homes in the area explaining what the fish represent and provide information on proper household hazardous waste disposal. It also encourages using less toxic alternative products.

We need your help to increase the Yellow Fish population! We are looking for enthusiastic school and community groups to participate! It is a fun, easy and effective method of educating youth and urban communities about how we can all improve the water quality in our streams and help protect our environment. Educational support materials are available for a range of grades. Teachers, Guides, Scouts, or anyone seeking further information can call Shannon Stephens, Healthy Waters Coordinator at the Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority, (705) 424-1479 ext. 239.

Sewage treatment plants and regular landfills are ill equipped to handle household hazardous wastes. It is important not to pour these chemical in the sink, toilet, storm drain and regular garbage. Proper hazardous waste disposal makes sure these chemicals are treated and contained. For information on how to responsibly dispose of your left over

paints, batteries, garden chemicals and cleaning products, call your municipality: Simcoe County and City of Barrie Household Special Waste Depot 705-739-4219; Dufferin County 519-942-8882; Grey County 519-599- 3131 ext 238.

"Conservation Corner" is a monthly column that looks at the theory, practices, technology and benefits of land & water stewardship. The NVCA is your public agency dedicated to the preservation of a healthy environment. As your partner, the NVCA provides the expertise to help protect our water, our land and our future. For comments or suggestions about this column or the Healthy Waters program, please contact Shannon Stephens at the NVCA at (705) 424-1479 ext 239 or e-mail us at sstephens@nvca.on.ca or visit our website at www.nvca.on.ca.