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Activities |
 
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Stream
Stewards: Help Make our Waterways Cleaner! Stream Stewards & Greenlawn Checklist (pdf document) Stream Stewards Leader's Guide (pdf document) Mark Storm Drains Storm drains gather non point source pollution from streets and nearby yards. This rainwater is not cleaned or filtered, but drains directly to a stream or river. Work with your local county soil and water conservation district to label these drains and educate your neighbors. Storm Drain Stenciling Handbook (pdf document) Clean a Stream Litter and trash along stream banks and in the stream create a hazardous habitat for the animals and plants that live there. Litter is also unsightly and spoils the natural beauty of the environment. Most litter can be recycled if disposed of correctly. For more information see the Clean Up Guidelines (pdf document). |
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Monitor
a Stream Many groups in Northeast Ohio help monitor stream health.They wade into streams and collect physical data (temperature), chemical data (pH and nitrogen levels), and biological data (fish and aquatic insects). Call your local soil and water conservation district for training and equipment. For additional information and water testing "how-to" streaming videos visit the Return of the Cuyahoga River website. Reduce Stream Bank Erosion Sediment is one of the leading causes of water pollution when it washes off the land and ends up in the water. The best way to prevent stream bank erosion is to plant trees and other vegetation along streams. The plants' roots will help anchor the soil on the stream’s bank. Contact your local soil and water conservation district for advice on what to plant along streams or for more information on protecting streams. |
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Clean “Green” Many of the substances in polluted water come from household chemicals. These can be cleaners, pesticides, lawn care products or home improvement products. Identify some hazardous products in your home. What are they? How are they used? Where do they end up when you are done with them? Find out how to properly handle and dispose of household chemical. Do research to find alternative “green” products to use in their place. Visit "Clean and Green" for a few ideas. |
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Backyard
Conservation Some of the most common pollutants in water come from our lawn and gardens. Learn how common lawn care habits can be adjusted to be more “water friendly”. What are the alternatives? The National Wildlife Federation website is a good source of information for environmentally sensible yards. Visit "Backyard Conservation" from the Natural Resources Conservation Service and Wild Ones Native Plants, Natural Landscapes. Design a Display Showcase what you have done for clean water. Many public buildings have display areas that you can use for a short period of time. Develop an eye-catching and informational display about clean water and highlight the things you think are most important for people to know in order to keep our waters clean! See an example. |
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Rain Gardens Keeping rain where it falls, by directing it to a rain garden, is a natural solution to water pollution. You not only build a garden, but also help protect our streams, rivers and lakes from pollution. download the how-to-manual. |
Discover more ways you can help and what others are doing in their own communities. |
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In
the "Tales
From Urban Forests" series, listen to how
individuals and groups are making a difference in the quality of their watershed
by planting trees. Used by permisson from the Soundprint Media Center, Inc., from the series Tales from Urban Forests, supported in part by the U.S. Forest Service. |
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Give Water A Hand is a national watershed education program designed to involve young people in local environmental service projects. Adopt Your Watershed Through this effort, EPA challenges citizens and organizations to join us and others who are working to protect and restore our valuable rivers, streams, wetlands, lakes, ground water, and estuaries. What you can do to prevent non-point source pollution (EPA) More Examples of What You Can Do to Prevent Nonpoint Source Pollution (EPA) Nonpoint Source Success Stories (EPA) Dos and Don'ts Around the Home (EPA) |
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