Tips to help YOU become a better steward of the environment

1. Reduce sediments that enter rivers and creeks. This sedimentation causes turbidity (makes it cloudy) in the water and can smother nesting sites of fish. To reduce erosion, plant native vegetation over bare areas. For more information concerning erosion control contact your local extension office (SRC 623-3868) or the Natural Resource and Conservation Service (623-3229).
2. Leave a native buffer zone of plants along waterfront property. These native plants will help filter pollutants out of stormwater runoff. They also protect against erosion, provide habitat for fish, birds and other wildlife, promote water clarity by trapping sediments, and provide flood control by absorbing excess water during storm events.
3. Don’t litter. Cans, bottles, plastic, cigarette butts and diapers all negatively affect our waterbodies. Many of these items can be recycled. Used diapers add harmful bacteria to the water. Litter can take away the beauty of a natural system, and is also against the law.
4. Recycle. Recycling reduces the need for new landfills. This allows for more natural areas, and less air and water pollution in the production of new aluminum, tin, plastic and paper.
5. Conserve. Buy items with less packaging materials or wrappers, and recycled products.
6. Use simple, multipurpose cleaning substances rather that buying a different cleaning product for each job. Buy only the amount of paints or chemicals that you will need. These steps help reduce a build-up of hazardous wastes around the house which might be harmful to humans, pets, and if spilled, may contaminate groundwater.
7. Use native plants in your landscape. Native plants are resilient to the natural conditions of our area; therefore they require less maintenance, fertilizers and pesticides. Excess nutrients cause algae blooms that can use oxygen and cause fish kills. Pesticides may act the same way in the water as on your lawn-- they may kill fish, shrimp, crabs, invertebrates and important aquatic plants.
8. After you change the oil in your car, take it to an auto parts store or the county landfill so it can be recycled. A single quart of motor oil can contaminate 250,000 gallons of drinking water; the 4-6 quarts of oil from your car can cause an 8-acre oil slick.
9. Keep your septic tank maintained. Septic tank leachate can contaminate area waterbodies with harmful pathogens. To maintain the ecology of your septic system avoid using concentrated chemicals, use biodegradable soaps and detergents.
10. Remember that as a coastal county, we are ALL coastal residents and everything we do affects the waterbodies around us.
11. Support your local government and take an interest in water quality issues.
12. Get involved, volunteer or join a local organization that supports water quality issues. Get involved in annual events such as the annual Rivers Clean-up, the International Coastal Clean-up, Earth Day, symposiums, or create your own environmental awareness project!