Chesapeake Bay Program
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Bay Resource Library
December 01, 2016
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Welcome to the Chesapeake Bay Program Take Action section. Here you can find a bunch of ways to connect with the Chesapeake Bay and all it offers.
Most of us can’t stop driving altogether. But there are lots of ways we can send less pollution into our air and water—and save a few extra gallons at the same time.
For Bay restoration to be a success, we all must do our part. Our everyday actions - from fertilizing our lawns and using water to driving our cars to work and school - have a major impact on the Bay, one that can't be fixed by government and non-profit restoration partners alone. By making simple changes in our lives, each one of us can take part in restoring the Bay and its rivers for future generations to enjoy.
Avoid Pesticide Pollution
If a pesticide spills or leaks, don't use a hose to clean up. Soak up the liquid with an absorbent material like sawdust or kitty litter, then sweep the material into a plastic bag and clean the area with a mixture of water and bleach.
Reduce Pesticide Use
Make your own garden insect repellents using common household items like garlic, vinegar and cooking oil.
Fix Leaky Faucets
Fix leaky toilets and faucets. A dripping faucet can waste 20 gallons of water per day.
Foster environmental literacy
Look for ways to incorporate the environment into book reports or class book discussions. Eco-Fiction has a list of young adult books with environmental themes.
Create an Infiltration Trench
Infiltration trenches are one of the most effective ways to keep polluted stormwater from reaching local waterways.
Use Fertilizer Properly
Make sure to not apply fertilizer to drainage areas in your yard, where it could easily run off your property.
Compost Fallen Leaves
Instead of spending hours raking, blowing and bagging fallen leaves, try composting them instead.
Prevent Pollution
When doing maintenance work on your boat, make sure to stay on land instead of at the dock or in the water. If work is done off land, take precautions to keep waste from the water.Find a fun and exciting Bay-related event to attend with this list of upcoming events happening across the Chesapeake watershed. Events range from nature workshops for children and families to bird walks to restoration activities like trash clean-ups and invasive plant removals.
See our directory of watershed organizations that includes contact information for more than 600 nonprofit organizations that are actively working to restore and conserve natural resources and create sustainable communities across the Chesapeake watershed.
Looking to join a watershed organization near you? Enter your address below to find out what groups are doing great things to restore and protect the environment in your locality.