Photo Credit: ClearWater Conservancy 2018 Watershed Cleanup Day
HOW CAN YOU HELP?
Volunteer: Volunteering for events such as Earth Day or watershed cleanup events is a great way to do your part in helping out environment. If you would like to volunteer for an existing event, or develop a new one, contact your municipality or a group such as ClearWater Conservancy or Trout Unlimited.
Pick up Trash: Sometimes someone will inadvertently drop a piece of trash on the ground. If you see trash that you can safely pick up, collect it up and put it in the nearest garbage or recycling bin. It’s that simple. If its too large, or you think it may be hazardous, contact your municipality. Improperly controlled trash can enter the storm drain system, which then can reach a water body such as Spring Creek.
Never dump down drains: Our storm inlets lead to our creeks or stream carrying any pollutants and are not garbage receptacles. These untreated pollutants can kill fish and other aquatic life. Additionally, because we live in a karst environment, many storm inlets go directly to sinkholes or other recharge areas where pollutants can impair our groundwater.
Educate others: If you hear interesting facts that help our environment, spread the word around. Knowledge should be contagious.
Conserve Water: Enough said!
Car Care: Make sure your vehicle isn’t leaking fluids and dispose fluids at a designated recycling point. Use a car wash that treats and recycles its water or wash your car on grass or gravel areas instead of pavement areas.
Lawn Care: Use fertilizers and pesticides sparingly as required, and don’t forget to pick up pet waste. Lawns should be tested for nutrients to ensure the correct amount is applied, or if fertilizer is even needed.
Salt Usage: While we need to use salts on sidewalks and other impervious surfaces to prevent accidents, limit its use to only what’s necessary and clean up excess spills immediately. When runoff occurs, the chlorides from the salts are washed into our waterways.
Giving: Contact your municipality to donate streamside buffer lands or easements to protect water quality for generations.
And Remember, always contact your MS4 municipality first if you have any questions about the program or would like to include them on proposals or in planning documents.
Volunteer: Volunteering for events such as Earth Day or watershed cleanup events is a great way to do your part in helping out environment. If you would like to volunteer for an existing event, or develop a new one, contact your municipality or a group such as ClearWater Conservancy or Trout Unlimited.
Pick up Trash: Sometimes someone will inadvertently drop a piece of trash on the ground. If you see trash that you can safely pick up, collect it up and put it in the nearest garbage or recycling bin. It’s that simple. If its too large, or you think it may be hazardous, contact your municipality. Improperly controlled trash can enter the storm drain system, which then can reach a water body such as Spring Creek.
Never dump down drains: Our storm inlets lead to our creeks or stream carrying any pollutants and are not garbage receptacles. These untreated pollutants can kill fish and other aquatic life. Additionally, because we live in a karst environment, many storm inlets go directly to sinkholes or other recharge areas where pollutants can impair our groundwater.
Educate others: If you hear interesting facts that help our environment, spread the word around. Knowledge should be contagious.
Conserve Water: Enough said!
Car Care: Make sure your vehicle isn’t leaking fluids and dispose fluids at a designated recycling point. Use a car wash that treats and recycles its water or wash your car on grass or gravel areas instead of pavement areas.
Lawn Care: Use fertilizers and pesticides sparingly as required, and don’t forget to pick up pet waste. Lawns should be tested for nutrients to ensure the correct amount is applied, or if fertilizer is even needed.
Salt Usage: While we need to use salts on sidewalks and other impervious surfaces to prevent accidents, limit its use to only what’s necessary and clean up excess spills immediately. When runoff occurs, the chlorides from the salts are washed into our waterways.
Giving: Contact your municipality to donate streamside buffer lands or easements to protect water quality for generations.
And Remember, always contact your MS4 municipality first if you have any questions about the program or would like to include them on proposals or in planning documents.
State College Borough demonstration wetland at Walnut Spring Park.
