![[logo] US EPA](http://www.epa.gov/epafiles/images/logo_epaseal.gif){kind=logo}
Ten Things You Can Do to Make a Difference in Your Watershed
Learn About Your WatershedBecome Active in Your WatershedHelp Increase Public Awareness in Your Watershed |
|
 |
Learn about your watershed. Start by using the Watershed Region Information Web site to find your watershed address and learn about its environmental health. Other useful sites include Surf Your Watershed, Envirofacts and Enviromapper. Also be sure to check out EPA's Wetlands web page to learn about the importance of wetlands. |
 |
Identify ways you can help prevent polluted runoff from your home, ranch or farm. Check out Give Water a Hand
 (for students), EPA's Nonpoint Source Program Web site
and the
U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service Web site to find out how you can be part of the solution, instead of part of the
problem. |
 |
Find out about our precious
coast and steps you can take to protect marine resources by reading the Coastal
Watershed Fact Sheets. Learn about our pressure on ocean resources
and find out 25
things you can do to help save coral reefs. |
 |
Become involved in land use and development
decisions affect your water resources and learn how watershed planning and
the watershed
approach can help. Find out about model ordinances to protect
water quality at EPA's Model
Ordinances to Protect Local Resources web pages and the
Center for Watershed Protection.
Also learn about alternatives to current development patterns such
as low-impact development
and smart growth. |
 |
Create a Wildlife Habitat in
your Backyard, Workplace or Schoolyard. Certify your backyard or schoolyard as part of the National Wildlife Federation's Backyard Wildlife Habitat Program or Schoolyard Habitat Program. |
 |
Participate in or help coordinate
a special wetlands activity during the month of May to celebrate American
Wetlands Month. Visit EPA’s wetlands web site for ideas for special wetland activities. Also, celebrate International Migratory
Bird Day by joining in an event to raise awareness
about the importance of birds, biological diversity, and wetlands. |
 |
Do your part to protect drinking water sources. Individuals, citizen groups, and local communities can participate in many activities that help to protect their drinking water sources. Get information about drinking water and how it can be protected at the EPA Source Water Protection Web site. Find out more about how your drinking water is tested, treated and protected by reading your utility's yearly water quality report. Check out the National Source Water Collaborative – a coalition of 19 national organizations with a shared recognition of the importance of protecting drinking water sources. |
 |
Prepare a presentation about your watershed for a school or civic organization. Explain
what a watershed is. Discuss water quality threats, including polluted runoff
and habitat loss. Highlight things people can do to protect water quality, including limiting fertilizer use and eliminating herbicides
and pesticides. Be sure to provide case studies from other watersheds and to highlight success stories. Research your presentation using
a variety of water education materials.
|
 |
Sponsor a World Water Monitoring Day Event or Watershed Festival
in your community to raise awareness about the importance of watershed
protection. Organize the event around a water body in your watershed (e.g., estuary, lake, river, etc.), an issue (protecting drinking water sources), or a national event. Find out how to get involved in or start planning your own monitoring event using the Water Environment Federation’s World Wide Monitoring Day Web site . The Groundwater Foundation's "Making Waves: How to Put on a Water Festival" and "Making More Waves: Ideas from Across the US and Canada for Organizing Your Water Festival” guidebooks can help you organize a festival in your community. |
 |
Obtain funding for your watershed outreach and public education efforts. Use the following EPA resources to get started: the Catalog of Federal Funding Sources for Watershed Protection, Environmental Finance Program, and the Clean Water State Revolving Fund Program. |
This is not a complete list of available resources and mention of these products does not constitute endorsement by EPA. Visit the Office of Water Homepage or the Watershed Homepage for for more information.
