Even if you don’t live on the water or in a waterfront neighborhood, you do live in a watershed, the land that eventually drains into a creek, stream or river.

Remember, everything we do on the land eventually has an impact on the water. If we make environmentally conscious decisions everyday – whether it be by planting more trees, reducing our fuel emissions, or conserving water – we are helping to reduce the harmful nutrients which ultimately pollute our Bay.

One thing you can do in your own backyard is “grass-cycling,” recycling your grass clippings, which encourages a healthier lawn by returning nutrients to the soil in a slow release natural form. Grass-cycling will save you time and money, eliminating the need to bag or rake grass clippings (saving space in Maryland’s landfills) and helping eliminate the need for fertilizer, which when overused can create nutrient run-off that pollutes ground and surface waters.

For best results, mow on a regular basis, use a sharp mower blade, and mow when the lawn is dry. Remove no more than one-third of the blade height at each cutting and sweep the clippings back onto the turf.

Maryland's 10 Tributary Teams

You can also support river and bay restoration efforts by getting involved with your local Tributary Team! Maryland's 10 tributary teams are made up of volunteers who work to inform citizens and implement local restoration strategies in the State’s 10 major sub-watersheds.

Each summer, the Teams hold annual wade-ins in their local tributaries to help educate the public and measure water quality using the “Sneaker Index.” Find out more at http://dnr.maryland.gov/bay/tribstrat/.

- Mike Bilek
Tributary Strategies Coordinator
Maryland Department of Natural Resources