Environmental board outlines adopt-a-storm-drain pilot, fall plant giveaway and tree-planting pilot
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Summary
The Port Orange Environmental Advisory Board reported that its city-funded adopt-a-storm-drain program has been funded and will roll out in the fall, the board will host a plant giveaway in October tied to the city's fall family event, and it will pilot a tree-planting program to increase canopy while minimizing maintenance conflicts.
The Port Orange Environmental Advisory Board updated council on three projects: a newly funded adopt-a-storm-drain program, a fall plant giveaway, and a pilot tree-planting program aimed at increasing canopy without creating maintenance conflicts.
Board representatives said the adopt-a-storm-drain program — designed to engage residents in maintaining neighborhood drains and to capture local concerns — has been funded and will roll out in the fall and into 2026. The program includes a technology component and street-level resident engagement.
The board said a plant giveaway will be held in October (the board’s speaker referenced an October 18 public event and later clarified the city-wide fall family days run the weekend of Oct. 9–11 with Saturday events). Residents who pre-register will be eligible for up to three plants; Port Orange residents who reserve in advance can receive two plants, with a limited number available for walk-ups.
Board members also described a pilot program to place trees around ponds and other appropriate locations. The effort will test species selection, placement to avoid mowing conflicts and an approach to use tree-bank funds to procure larger specimens to boost canopy without harming sidewalks or maintenance operations.
The board invited volunteers and said it will begin outreach and social-media promotion; council members agreed the city event is a good recruiting opportunity.