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History of the YFR™ Program
Marking storm sewer grates to remind people how their actions impact our water is not a new idea. Many municipalities across the country are involved in the Yellow Fish Road™ program. It was piloted nationally by Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) and Trout Unlimited Canada in 1991. Locally, the Bay Area Restoration Council adopted the program in 1993. By 2001, approximately 3900 youth had participated in BARC’s Yellow Fish Road™ program.
A Marker with a Message
In 2004, BARC undertook a pilot project to test a new method of marking storm drains: a 4” plastic disk attached to the sidewalk with adhesive. The plastic disks carry the BARC and Yellow Fish Road™ web addresses, as well as the message “only rain down the drain”. Unlike the painted fish which fade after about two years, the plastic markers can last for up to ten. BARC incorporated both the disk and the painted fish into their program to ensure both a long-lasting message, and a fun and memorable marking event for our youth volunteers.
In May 2005, Yellow Fish Road™ returned with a splash. After completing successful pilot projects in 2004, the Bay Area Restoration Council (BARC), in partnership with Trout Unlimited Canada, has brought Yellow Fish Road™ back to neighbourhoods surrounding Hamilton Harbour.
The return of the program was kicked off with the largest single marking event in BARCs history with Yellow Fish Road™. Almost 80 volunteers—students from St. Joseph Catholic Elementary School and adult team leaders—took to the streets around their school in the morning and marked approximately 90 storm drains, distributing information to more than 500 homes in the process.
That afternoon, St. Joseph was the site of the official launch event. With sponsors, supporters, volunteers and program partners on hand, Hamilton Mayor Larry Di Ianni painted a yellow fish and placed a marker on the storm drain next to the school. BARC was delighted to announce the participation of a new Yellow Fish Road™ partner at the event. The City of Hamilton, Public Works has now joined BARC, Trout Unlimited Canada, the Hamilton Community Foundation POET Initiative, the Ontario Trillium Foundation, and the Ontario Ministry of the Environment in ensuring the continuation of the program for years to come.
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