Protecting your watershed begins in your back (and front) yard!
The chemicals and debris on your lawn and garden will eventually find its way into our waterways causing contamination and reducing water quality.
The Sustainable Lawn Care Program will help you reduce your impacts on our waterways. Here are some easy steps that you can follow! Start slow! You do not need to do all of these steps as once, every little bit helps protect our water!
- Plant native plants! Native plants are adapted to the conditions of the area and require fewer chemicals for growth and pest management.
- Compost! Help reduce debris that enters and decays in our waterways. Large amounts of decomposing organic matter (such as grass and leaf litter) reduces the oxygen content of that water body which can lead to poor water quality.
- Harvesting rainwater! Rain barrels can be used to capture some of the water that falls on your rooftop– diverting it away from the storm sewer system and allowing it to be reused as water for your plants.
- Correct use of OR alternatives to lawn and garden chemical! Be smart with your use of fertilizers and pesticide. Follow instruction on packaging closely and avoid using chemicals when wet weather is in for forecast. Switching to organic lawn care not only creates a better environment for your family but will help you protect your watershed!
- Don’t mow too short! Keep your grass at 3 ½ inches or higher. This will help water soak into your lawn better, and shade out weeds.