Bay-Friendly
Landscaping:
Top
10 Things Critical Area Property Owners Can Do to Save the Bay
1. Plant native trees
and shrubs to create wildlife habitat, attracting native birds,
pollinators and insects.
2. Divert rain spouts
from paved surfaces onto grass or gardens and reduce impervious
surface to recharge underground reservoirs and filter pollutants.
3. Reduce lawn area—lawn
chemicals and gas-powered mowers pollute the Bay.
4. Manage your yard’s
waste by composting instead of sending it to landfills or into
streets and waterways.
5. Use living shoreline
techniques to reduce erosion and create important habitat.
6. Minimize the use
of chemical fertilizers—use compost to add fertility to
the soil and boost the health of plants.
7. Use natural methods
to control insect pests and weeds instead of pesticides.
8. Maintain your septic
system by pumping it out every three to five years and consider
nitrogen removing technology for your existing or new septic system.
9. Manage your pet’s
waste as it introduces nitrogen, ammonia, and disease to the Bay.
10. Share this list
with your neighbors—working together we can restore the
health of the Bay.
