Girl Scouts stencil storm drains in Vinton—look for the Logperch

If you noticed some new markings on the streets of Vinton, that might be because a “small but
mighty team” of Girl Scouts from Troop 478 spent their afternoon on Sunday, June 8, stenciling
23 storm drains along Clearview Drive, Hardy Road, and Vinyard Road.

According to Heidi Ketler, the Director of Communications & Environmental Educator for the
Clean Valley Council, “The stencils are designed to increase awareness that whatever the rain
washes down storm drains–such as litter and chemicals–goes into area waterways and impacts
the health of aquatic life.”

“The group of girls, led by Jill Thompson has stenciled many storm drains in the Roanoke Valley
over the years.

“The stencils currently have a Roanoke logperch in the design to increase awareness of
pollution going down storm drains and impacting aquatic life. The stencil design complements
the environmental conservation efforts of The Kiwanis Club of Roanoke, which funded the
creation of the ‘Larry the Roanoke Logperch’ children’s book.”

The stenciling team on June 8 was composed of Genevieve Dalton and Gabrielle Overstreet,
members of Girl Scout Troop 478, along with parents Suzanne and Michael Dalton, and Jill
Thompson.

Clean Valley Council manages the stenciling in partnership with area municipalities. Vinton
Planning & Zoning Director Anita McMillan, also a Clean Valley Council board member, had
requested that stencils be sprayed in the area of Vinyard and Clearview.

“Since the 2024 publication of “Larry the Roanoke Logperch,” written by Dr. Melissa B.
Rooney, Ph.D., in collaboration with the Kiwanis Club of Roanoke, Larry has been part of the
Clean Valley Council storm drain stencil design,” Ketler noted. “The Roanoke logperch is an
endangered species that lives in only four rivers on Earth, including the Roanoke River.”
The stenciled message reads, “Pick up litter. Save Larry the Logperch.”

~submitted by Heidi Ketler