Things we can all do...

... to help the environment

Living in such a fragile environment with water all around us there are many ways we can all pitch in to help protect and sustain the ecosystem for generations to come.  Teaching our children how to be environmentally friendly will help provide a solid foundation in which we will all benefit.  Every living organism on the planet depends on each other to have a healthy life, including humans!  These are some handy tips to how we can make a difference at home:

• Use environmentally friendly soaps or diluted portions
• Wash your car on the lawn vs. letting the water and detergents run on to the street and right into the water system
• Use little or no fertilizers or chemicals on your lawn or garden
• Landscape with native plants.  They do not need any maintenance, fertilizers or chemicals and are friendly to wildlife
• Keep pets and livestock out of and away from the stream systems.  Fecal bacteria is the number one pollutant in Washington water systems
• Recycle as much as possible
• Purchase recycled products and products with the least amount of packaging
• Do not dump anything into the stream systems or in drainage ditches, such as lawn clippings, motor oil, food or waste
• Keep as many trees and shade plants on your property as possible.  Evaporation and stream temperature are very important to aquatic organisms.