When 17-year-old Charlotte Barnes observes the stormwater system, she understands it’s not just rainwater flowing underground but something that affects local waterways.
That thought inspired the rising St. Stephen’s & St. Agnes high school senior to make waterway health the focus of her Eagle Scout service project. Barnes created The River Rescue: A Coloring Book, a free educational resource to help elementary-aged children understand how litter on neighborhood streets can get into local streams, rivers, the Chesapeake Bay and beyond.
Barnes, an Eagle Scout candidate and artist, designed the book with artwork contributed by local student artists Kaia Corens, Willa Johnson and Grace Laha. The book follows the story of Evie the Otter and her animal friends on a colorful journey to show children that actions like picking up litter, recycling and properly throwing out trash can protect wildlife and keep waterways healthy.
Barnes wanted to bring to light the fact that storm drains move rainwater out of streets but do not filter pollution, and that will flow untreated into creeks, rivers and larger waterways.
“Children are curious and eager to help,” Barnes said. “I wanted to create something that would show them they don’t have to wait until they’re adults to make a difference. Every piece of litter they pick up and every good habit they build helps protect the places they love.”
The Eagle Scout project is one of the requirements to meet Scouting’s highest rank. Female members like Barnes were allowed to join Scouts BSA in Scouting America, formerly known as Boy Scouts of America — in 2019.
Barnes wanted her project to continue serving the community long after it was complete. The free downloadable resource is geared toward parents, teachers, schools, homeschool families, libraries, Cub Scout troops, environmental nonprofits, watershed organizations, conservancies, parks, nature centers and other community groups.
“The best service projects don’t end when the volunteer hours are over,” Barnes said. “I hope this book keeps teaching children for years to come and reminds them that protecting our rivers begins right outside their own front door.”
