Research-based engagement
Developed with focus groups, surveys, and pilots
Designed according to best practices in environmental psychology and social marketing, the Adopt-a-Drain program is ten years in the making. Successive pilots, focus groups, and participant surveys honed the program and marketing materials into an effective tool for public outreach and engagement. More than fifty cities and watershed districts participated in the design process to create a Web interface that meets the needs of multiple MS4 partners.
Join a national movement for clean water. More than 50 cities throughout the country are using the program to engage their residents.
Ready-made tools to promote water-friendly habits for residents
The Adopt-a-Drain program emphasizes environmental action while raising awareness about the crucial role that residents play in preventing runoff pollution from entering local waterways. Our program offers ready-made solutions for engaging residents and provides guidelines for making a difference in any community. Partners can access downloadable lists of residents interested in water issues in their area. We offer a set of complimentary, custom-designed tools to help you launch the program in your community.
Custom-designed Web app
Our tailor-made Web app facilitates and quantifies resident engagement. Residents can sign up to adopt a drain and track debris collection. A secure administrative portal gives city partners the ability to sort and download program data. Program metrics include amount and type of debris collected and the number of hours spent in volunteer activities.
Welcome materials for new participants
Welcome materials bolster membership and community reporting, advocate for safety and best-practices for clearing drains and sorting and disposing of waste, and encourage residents to promote via social media. In the Welcome Letter, partners can add up to three city or partner logos. An example of the Welcome Card follows.
Welcome Card outside. Click to enlarge.
Flexible outreach materials
Branded marketing materials and resources help partners successfully promote the program to residents and sustain participation. Web and printed marketing materials can be modified for relevance to your region. Incorporate partner logos and adjust waterway names and pollutant types in select areas.
Yard signs & promotional merchandise
Branded promotional merchandise includes stunning yard signs, stickers, tote bags, water bottles, and patch hats that can be used for resident recognition or for participants to make their pollution-prevention work visible in the community.
Build an online community
A robust presence on social media is a great way to inspire residents to take action to protect water in their neighborhoods. Our optional social media consulting services help you get set up to generate content to keep adopters engaged.
Minnesota’s live Instagram feed.
