Adopt-a- Draina and Paint the Lakes was made possible through collaboration among local government agencies, environmental organizations, educators, businesses, and volunteers who share a common goal of protecting our watershed. Thanks to the commitment of Everwild Land Trust, the Village of Mayville, NY Section American Water Works Association, One Water Workforce, the Village of Westfield, NYS DOT, Chautauqua County Executive PJ Wendel, Chautauqua County Soil and Water Conservation District, Jacobs Engineering, Cummins, Chautauqua Institution, and Wicked Builds, students' ideas were transformed into reality. 

Students became active members of our community.

The event highlighted the connection between stormwater runoff, storm drains, and local waterways, demonstrating that anything entering a storm drain can eventually reach the lake. Through classroom research, students learned that runoff is a contributing factor to declining lake health and identified practical solutions such as installing rain barrels near downspouts and regularly clearing debris from storm drains. What began as a standards aligned Water Guardians Project in Mrs. Bett's 6th-grade classroom grew into a student-driven effort to share this knowledge with the community through meaningful action, leading to the creation of Water Warriors Day.

Water Warriors

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