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Lower 1 Subwatershed
Getting Involved
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How to Get Involved...
We need your help! Improving the water quality in the Lower 1 Subwatershed
is a task that not only includes your community's maintenance and
protection of some of the highest water quality that exists in the
entire watershed, but also increasing your environmental awareness
and involvement to help achieve that goal.
Improving the water quality in the Lower 1 Subwatershed requires
these things that you as an individual or group can do.
What is Environmental Awareness and how
can I increase mine?
Increasing your awareness of the issues that affect the health of
the River will help you to better understand how we are all part
of the watershed, how our decisions impact the watershed, and how
you can communicate these messages to others. You can:
- Monitor this Web site for more information and updates
- Visit the River in your community to enjoy and observe any changes
- Participate in activities created by your community
- Participate in activities created by Friends
of the Rouge
- Change a few
behaviors at home
How do I become more informed?
Communities in the Lower 1 Subwatershed will be organizing...
- Workshops on river-friendly lawn and garden care, composting
and other river-related topics
- Publishing articles in your local paper, and
- Household Hazardous Waste Days
- Frog and Toad Surveys
- River Dat activities
These activities are designed to increase public awareness and
provide information about water quality issues, but also provide
you the general public, an opportunity to physically participate
in these events and contribute on a personal level to help improve
the water quality in the Lower 1 Subwatershed. Contact the designated
Storm Water Coordinator in your community to see how you can help.
Voice your concerns... Involvement is
not a spectator sport!!
Your community needs to hear from you because you may have ideas
about the River and what you think is most important about our natural
resources and how to protect them. Come to the activities, planning
commission meetings, township board and city council meetings. Ask
questions and communicate your ideas to community staff. It's important!
Watch your local newspaper and newsletters for event announcements.
Join others already involved!
Why wait for your community to organize events and activities that
might be of interest to you and your involvement in water quality
improvement in the Lower 1 Subwatershed. Here's a list of volunteers
or organizations in the Lower 1 Subwatershed that you can contact
via e-mail and arrange to get involved on your own.
ROUGE REPAIR KIT CHECKLIST
YOUR ACTIONS MAKE A DIFFERENCE! If we all make a few changes
with how we manage our household, our car and our actions, we can
make a big difference in the health of the Rouge River...
- Select pest-resistant plants; minimize pesticide use.
- Consider native species of plants that "match" our
ecology.
- Use slow-release fertilizers only if needed (soil nutrient testing
is the first step).
- Cut grass high (leaving 3" on the blade).
- Use compost to grow healthy plants and retain water.
- Use natural mulches to reduce weeds and hold soil in place.
- Cover exposed soils with mulch or grasses.
- Clean up pet waste and carefully discard.
- Do not feed ducks or waterfowl.
- Separate hazardous waste from household trash.
- Keep auto engine in good repair; recycle used oil and antifreeze.
- Disconnect downspouts from sanitary sewers.
- Use automated car wash -- don't wash cars on the pavement.
Click
here to view the entire Rouge Repair Kit (pdf version)!
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