Make a difference

Protecting Watersheds:

Everything we do or don't do on the surface of our natural watershed "sinks" impacts our water quality. Our actions also affect the rate that the water flows. Like organs in a body, every part of a watershed is essential. What affects one part affects all parts.

The results of what we do in our homes and on our land can extend hundreds of miles downstream. As we go about the business of our lives, each of us impacts the watershed day by day, drop by drop.

Everyday, each of us makes over 30 decisions affecting the water we use. In King County each person uses nearly 80 gallons of water per day-and while the demand for water increases, the supply remains the same. You can help protect King County's watersheds by starting in your own backyard. Here are some things you can do:

1. Get H2Ope and share it with family, friends and neighbors.
   
   
2. Plant a tree and preserve existing trees and shrubs that grow by streams and throughout watersheds. Trees protect water quality, slow runoff and provide wildlife habitat.
   
   
3. Reduce pavement and other impervious surfaces. For paths, driveways or patios, consider materials that allow rainwater to soak into the ground rather than run off.
   
   
4. Conserve water in your home and yard. Water infrequently but deeply.
   
   
5. Don't dump paint, household cleaners or oil in the garbage or down the drain. Take your car to a commercial carwash. Everything put in the drain eventually ends up in Puget Sound or local lakes and streams.
   
   
6. Enrich your garden with compost instead of chemical fertilizers.
   
   
7. Avoid pesticides. Instead use native plants, rotate your crops and learn about "friendly" insects that control pests naturally.
   
   
8. Dispose of pet waste properly and fence larger animals away from streams.
   
   
9. Sweep your sidewalks and driveway instead of hosing them down.
   
   
10. Volunteer! Plant trees along streams, salvage native plants from areas slated for construction, pull up invasive weeds or monitor lakes, wetlands or wildlife. Call (206) 296-8359 for our calendar of volunteer opportunities.
    
    
11. Check these on-line resources:
    
    
    • Home & Garden Hints for Healthy Streams & Salmon
    • The Dirt - Volunteer Event Calendar
    • Wetlands Topics
    • Volunteer Amphibian Monitoring Program
    • Lakes Topics
    • Salmon and Trout Topics