SOLUTIONS FOR HEALTHY WATERSHEDS
Filter, not Funnel!
Homeowners, business owners and community planners can all make a positive impact on watershed health.
Ideally, if every household and business within a watershed would retain most or all of their rainwater on their property, allowing it to slowly absorb into the ground following a more natural course, less damage would occur – less volume, less velocity. However, our suburban culture demands the opposite. Expansive bare-foot lawns, paved drives and patios, along with gutter and drainage systems designed to move water away from our property as quickly as possible create severe storm water runoff. This runoff can also carry hazardous substances into our streams.
By following good watershed practices, you can be part of the solution to storm water pollution and damage.
The Cuyahoga ReLeaf project aims to conserve and restore forest cover in the Cuyahoga Watershed. The Friends of Yellow Creek believe that tree planting can help to solve an important problem in our own watershed, and provide a number of added benefits, too.
Resources:
Riparian corridors and environmental planning:
Informational Booklet: "Living on the Water's Edge"
Riparian Zone Interactive Brochure: "Life At Water's Edge"
Storm water runoff and pollution:
"After the Storm" from the United States EPA
Did You Know?
- A small percentage of weeds in the lawn is a good thing. Weeds increase biodiversity and attract beneficial insects. Biodiversity leads to a reduced likelihood of pests and diseases.
- Up to 6 million birds die each year as a result of exposure to lawn care chemicals. Be a friend of the birds and use less chemicals.
- Researchers found that mulching leaves in the fall resulted in a greener lawn and up to 80% less dandelions the following spring.