3 Things You Can Do at Home
Get your lawn off drugs. Reduce, eliminate or use natural or organic fertilizers instead of synthetic fertilizers that contain harmful chemicals. Some nutrients in yard fertilizers, like phosphorus, can do more harm than good. When excess phosphorus enters our streams it creates ugly algae blooms that remove oxygen from the water making it difficult for wildlife to survive. These chemicals are carried in run-off from rain and sprinkler water into local storm drains which may pour into local lakes, rivers, streams and wetlands.
PANNA: Pesticide Advisor Dealing safely with pests in the home, in your yard and on your pets.
Bonus yard tip - After mowing, leave grass clippings on your lawn. They act as a natural fertilizer and will improve the quality of your soil. Never put grass clippings or fallen leaves into storm drains. - Landscape with native plants and trees. The Great Lakes region is home to an endless supply of beautiful native plants, flowers and trees. You’ll save yourself money and trouble when you choose native plants for your lawn and garden. Native plants are accustomed to our local soil types, weather patterns, pests and diseases. Not only are they beautiful to look out, they support our natural wildlife and they take less work to maintain. Talk to your local extension agent or nursery for recommendations.
Green Landscaping: Wild Ones Handbook A great resource from Wild Ones. Perfect if you want to learn about the native Midwestern landscape and creating native landscape in your backyard and community.
US EPA: Green Landscaping Resources A plethora of resources, including a Great Lakes native plants slideshow, landscaping fact sheets and brochures and state-specific native plant sources.
Bonus garden tip - Plant a rain garden using native plants to collect rain water. Rain gardens collect and clean rain water that would otherwise enter storm drains will instead soak into the ground, just as nature intended.
- Buy organic and locally-grown produce. Fruits and vegetables that taste great and keep your money in your community – what a deal! When you buy locally-grown produce, you’re not only supporting your local economy, you’re reducing the transportation-related pollution and costs carried by products from the west coast, Florida, and other distant farmlands.
Food Routes: Buy Locally Grown
More on the values of buying local and organic, plus resources for helping you find local/organic grocers.
