Practical Creek Care - A Handbook for Stewardship | Page 37

QUICK TIPS — Do ’ s & Don ’ ts

Grass Clippings / Leaves Don ’ t …
Why ?
Dump or blow grass clippings and leaves into creeks , storm drains or streets , and don ’ t put them in the garbage .
Do ...
Grass clippings and leaves provide nutrients to your lawn . Clippings that are carried or dumped into creeks can lead to less dissolved oxygen .
Add them to a compost pile , leave them on your yard so they can fertilize your lawn or use a curbside yard waste collection service if it is available .
Washing Your Car Don ’ t ... Wash your vehicle in your driveway . Do ...
Why ?
The runoff from your driveway carries pollutants into storm drains and creeks .
Take your vehicle to a commercial car wash where special drains are installed to dispose of runoff .
Lawn Care Don ’ t ... Fertilize or apply herbicides / pesticides to your lawn right before a rain event . Do ...
Try to avoid applying lawn treatments on days when a rain event has been predicted .
Why ?
Fertilizer or chemicals applied just before a rain event will be washed away , bringing unnecessary nutrients and potentially toxic chemicals to aquatic life in creeks .
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