Get ready for spring!
Adapted from Clean Water MN and Friends of the Mississippi River
The ground may still be snow-covered, but the first day of spring is in less than three weeks! You can help protect local waterways with your spring activities:
Adopt a storm drain: Remember that storm drains don't lead to treatment plants - the water going into them ends up in local lakes and streams. By adopting a drain, you pledge to clear your neighborhood's drains of trash, grass, snow, de-icing salt, and other debris. You can clean your drains on your own time, and it's a great group activity. Plus, you can pick fun names for your drains!
Clean up after pets: Animal waste contains phosphorus and harmful bacteria. Pick up after your pets and toss it in the trash.
Mow high: Cut your lawn to three inches or higher. The taller the lawn, the longer the roots and the more water the soil can absorb - which means less pollution runoff. Some cities observe No-Mow May - check if yours does.
Green up your lawn, not lakes and rivers: A common cause of pollution in our watershed is phosphorus runoff. Many soils have enough phosphorus for grass growth and do not need further fertilization. Under MN law, fertilizers containing phosphorus can only be used on new lawns and where soil tests show that phosphorus is needed. If you're concerned, test your soil before applying fertilizer.
Compost food waste and cultivate your soil: Compost can help your soil hold on to more water, which means that a heavy rain won't cause as much runoff, and a dry spell won't leave plants as parched.
Plant a rain garden or native garden: Learn how from Landscaping for Clean Water below!
