In Your Yard
Use fertilizers and pesticides sparingly or try composting to keep your yard and garden looking great while minimizing harmful effects on streams, lakes and rivers.
Plant a Tree
According to the American Public Power Association and US Forest Service, appropriately placed trees can reduce air conditioning costs up to 50% and add an average of 10% to a property’s value when mature. They also help decrease runoff and prevent erosion, resulting in less sediment and chemicals in our waterways. Contact the Chelan County PUD for information on the Greater Wenatchee Arbor Day celebration and tree distribution.
Order a Watershed Care Package and receive coupons for 15% off native plants at the following local native plant nurseries: Derby Canyon Natives, Deeproots, and Leavenworth Nursery.
Treat Your Yard With Care
Many of us use fertilizers, weed killers and pesticides to keep our lawns green and our gardens productive. When we treat yard care as an all-out war, the ‘arsenal’ of modern chemicals can take a toll on beneficial insects, wildlife and fish, not to mention children and pets. When stormwater flows over our yards and gardens it takes pesticides, herbicides and fertilizers with it all the way to rivers, lakes and streams. These chemicals poison wildlife and absorb oxygen from the water. By using natural alternatives, such as compost, in place of chemical fertilizers and limiting pesticide use to judicious, targeted applications, you can have a beautiful backyard without causing collateral damage.
Keep Invasives at Bay
Noxious weeds are invasive plants that have been introduced to the watershed by humans. Because they lack natural enemies, noxious weeds spread rapidly, destroy native plant and animal habitat, damage recreational opportunities and clog waterways. Controlling noxious weeds is good stewardship and it’s the law. To learn more, consult the Chelan County Noxious Weed Board, the Washington State Noxious Weed Control Board, or the Nature Conservancy.
Conserve Water Outdoors
On average, outdoor water use accounts for up to 50% of the water consumed by a household. Selecting native or drought-tolerant plants, and using slow-watering techniques, such as trickle irrigation or soaker hoses, can help you significantly reduce your water use and ensure an adequate supply of water for people, fish and wildlife. Visit Water - Use It Wisely for more water-saving tips.
Restore Riparian Areas
Riparian areas are the transition zones between the water and the land. These transition zones play many important functional roles that help protect people and property as well as sustain fish and wildlife populations. A well vegetated riparian zone provides erosion control, flood moderation, water quality protection, and essential fish and wildlife habitat. Historic and present day land use practices have resulted in disturbed riparian areas along the Wenatchee River and its tributaries and contributed to eroded stream banks, intensified flooding, increased encroachment of invasive and noxious weeds, decreased water quality, and habitat loss.
Riparian areas support the highest breeding bird densities and diversities in North America. A recent study found that seventeen-times more birds were found in forested versus non-forested riparian areas. Resources exist to help streamside landowners restore riparian vegetation and enhance bird and stream habitat on their property. Contact the Cascadia Conservation District for additional information and check out Cascadia's Landowner Assistance Program handout.
Learn what you can do to help In Your Home, With Your Vehicles, and With Your Animals.
