Education & Information

In Your Community

• Get active in the issues that interest you, whether it’s land use, water quality, recycling, or invasive species.
• Join or organize cleanups for your neighborhood, local parks, and state parks.
• Attend workshops and awareness days to learn more about your watershed.
• Encourage your neighborhood association to include native vegetation rules in its bylaws.
• Call for help when you need it. There are many resources available to answer your questions and provide assistance.

On Your Lake or River

• Inspect your boat and trailer for invasive plants and animals.
• Do not transfer bait from one lake to another.
• Dispose of trash properly—don’t dump anything overboard.
• Do not dump bundles of wood into the lake. It does not create good fish habitat; in fact, it provides anchor points for invasive mussels and weeds!
• Remove trash and human waste from the lake before the ice melts.
• Dispose of cigarette and cigar butts properly.
• Respect no-wake zones and noise restrictions.
• Do not disturb or aggravate wildlife.
• Plant a greenbelt of native plants on your shore- line to prevent erosion and runoff.
• Reduce the size of your lawn area to conserve water and reduce chemicals.
• Set your lawn mower at a higher level—your grass will be greener and will need less water.
• Do not feed ducks and geese (they carry swimmer’s itch) but do feed and provide nesting habitat for songbirds and other species.

On Your Farm

• Restrict cattle access to lakes and streams. Provide them with a different water source (NRCS has programs to help with funding).
• Do not over-apply pesticides and fertilizers.
• Maintain a buffer strip of vegetation between crops and water bodies.
• Dispose of animal waste properly, away from water sources.

In Your Yard

• Maintain native trees and vegetation.
• Maintain existing wetlands (do not fill them in).
• Minimize the area of paved surfaces like drive- ways, sidewalks, and patios.
• Get your soil tested by MSU Extension to see if you need fertilizer.
• If you need it, use only phosphorus-free fertilizer.
• Water your lawn less often.
• Don’t dump grass clippings in the lake or on the beach. Instead, use them to mulch your plants or dispose of them on yard waste pickup days.
• Landscape with native plants, which need less maintenance and help prevent erosion and absorb pollution.
• Divert rain gutters to unpaved areas on your property where water can soak into the ground.

Tips For Fertilizing

• TRY NOT FERTILIZING: Your lawn may have enough nitrogen already. Stop fertilizing and see how it goes! BUT IF YOU MUST FERTILIZE...
• Use a fertilizer with a LOW FIRST NUMBER, preferably less than 10, and that contains a MINIMUM OF 50% SLOW RELEASE NITROGEN
• Fertilize only once in the spring and once in the fall.
• Get your soil tested.
• Go Native. Native plantings require no commercial fertilization after establishment because they are naturally adapted to our soil and climate.
• Leave grass clippings on your lawn.
• Plant clover or low nitrogen grasses.
• Replace loose Stone Yards with Non-Fertilized Native Plants by Xeriscaping. Visit http://www.pineridgegardens.com/xeriscape.htm for more great information.
• Do not fertilize when rain is expected in the next 24 hours.
• Use a broom to remove fertilizer spilled onto driveways and sidewalks.
• Never fertilize within 10 feet of streams, creeks, or the Bay.
• Never allow grass clippings to go down storm drain catch basins.
• Let the grass grow to a height of 3”.
• Use a Hand-Powered Rotary Mower.

In Your House

• Avoid or minimize the use of pesticides whenever possible.
• Carefully use household hazardous materials such as drain cleaner, paints, varnish, and motor oil. Don't dispose of these substances down the drain. Save these types of waste for a household hazardous waste collection.
• Use environmentally friendly detergents and cleaning products, and use all chemicals sparingly.
• Unplug electrical devices when they’re not being used.
• Have your septic system inspected every 1 to 3 years and pumped as recommended by the inspector.
• Recycle—contact your local County Conservation Districts for locations.
• Fix leaks and use low-flow faucets.
• Turn off the water while you brush your teeth and shave, and use your washing machine and dishwasher only when they’re full.