KNOW YOUR WATERSHED!

Choose a nearby stream, lake or marsh. Take a walk, watch birds, find out what animals, plants and other living things live there. You can’t protect what you don’t know.

VOTE VOTE VOTE

…and speak out, both locally and nationally. Support environmental legislation, such as the EPA, Clean Water and Clean Air Acts.  Keep informed, and let your legislators know that you support strong protection for the environment.

PICK UP TRASH

…and dispose of it properly. It makes its way into waterways and the ocean very quickly.

WASH YOUR CAR AT A CAR WASH

…instead of allowing contaminated water to run off into storm drains. Storm drains go directly to streams.

DON’T ADD TO PAVED SURFACES

Instead, use permeable pavers to allow rainwater to sink into the ground and replenish groundwater.

VOTE FOR CONSERVATION CANDIDATES

Pay attention to how politicians stand on conservation issues like open space and stream and ocean protections.

DON’T USE CHEMICAL FERTILIZERS

Plant native plants appropriate for your garden. It’s easier, cheaper, and you’ll have a more successful garden.

JOIN A WATERSHED GROUP

…and participate in events as a volunteer.

PLANT RIPARIAN VEGETATION

… if you own property along the side of a stream. River otters and all animals love willow thickets. Consult a gardening guide or garden store to find out what good native plant choices are for your area.

DON’T POUR TOXIC HOUSEHOLD CHEMICALS

…down the drain. Take them to a hazardous waste center. Have an area in the garage or shed to save them for proper disposal.

DON’T USE RODENTICIDES

Rodenticides not only kill rats and mice by causing catastrophic internal bleeding, but cause secondary poisoning to any other animal that preys on the dying rodent. Raptors, pets and even children have been harmed or killed by secondary rodenticide poisoning.  Use snap traps and/or exclusion instead.

DON’T USE PESTICIDES

Instead, use Integrated Pest Management practices (google it and find many excellent, organic suggestions).

DON’T LET CHEMICALS FROM YOUR SKIN

… get into streams or lakes, eg., from lotions, perfumes, sunscreens. They have chemicals that can harm aquatic organisms.

DISPOSE OF DOG OR CAT WASTE

…in the trash, and pick up after your dog or cat. Their feces can be harmful to sea otters as well as other animals.

WATER IS PRECIOUS

…no matter how much rain we get! Take shorter showers, turn off water when not in use. Don’t pour toxic household chemicals down the drain. Take them to a hazardous waste center. Have an area in the garage or shed to save them for proper disposal.

NEVER FLUSH OLD MEDICATIONS

…of any kind. Dispose of them in the garbage, or some pharmacies have collection days.

USE DRIP IRRIGATION

The water runs very slowly through a drip system into the ground, getting where it needs to be and not running off wastefully.

ARE YOU A FISHER?

Make sure you pick up used fishing line and hooks!

IF YOU’RE ABLE TO SUPPORT

…your favorite environmental organizations financially, please do!