New signs denote green people, places and things

GREATER LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - The area’s about to see a whole lot more signs – and not campaign signs.

On Wednesday the Wabash River Enhancement Corporation (WREC), along with Purdue University’s Environmental Science and Engineering graduate students, will recognize Eco Champions throughout Greater Lafayette.

Nearly 150 signs will be placed around town by Purdue students as part of this effort.

It’s the Enhancement Corporation’s newest outreach and education effort: Eco Champion signs.

The signs’ purpose is to highlight residential and business practices that hone in on improving water quality in the Wabash River throughout Greater Lafayette.

WREC’s Director of Watershed Projects Sara Peel says WREC funded nearly $675,000 in on-the-ground practice installations in 2012.

“These Eco Champion signs give WREC and our partners an opportunity to recognize landowners working on behalf of the Wabash River,” Peel said. “More than 140 people took advantage of our cost-share program offered this year and we want to recognize them for their efforts and let them brag a bit to their neighbors.”

The signs represent easy-access practices, including rain barrels and native plantings. That also includes projects that are more complicated and may require engineering and contractor installation, like a rain garden or pervious pavement.

In total, four sign variations are available and “level up” stickers can be applied for additional practices installed on-site or added at a later date.

WREC and partners have identified nearly 500 individual practices throughout the community and signs are available for anyone who has installed any of the practices listed above. Contact Sara Peel at the Wabash River Enhancement Corporation to request your sign or register your installed practices online .