ACTION TIPS MAY 2009

If we could see the miracle of a single flower clearly, our whole life would change.

- Buddha

May 2009

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Create a truly green garden

Go green in your garden for a healthier blue backyard.

This month, you can "seas the day":

seas the day by just saying no to chemicals and pesticides. In many communities, yard fertilizers and pesticides do more to contaminate water than agricultural runoff. More than 70 million pounds of toxic lawn pesticides are applied annually in the U.S. alone, and much of this will flow off the land and harm aquatic and ocean wildlife. Chemicals used on lawns and gardens can also harm pets and are poisonous to children. Non-toxic options exist and really work — ask for them at your local garden center.

seas the day by fertilizing wisely. Excess nutrients from yards and agricultural areas contribute to dead zones in the ocean where no animals can survive. You can help by fertilizing only once a year in the fall – or the season in your area when heavy rains are less likely to occur – to prevent harmful excess nutrient runoff. If you have a lawn use your grass clippings as yard mulch instead of applying fertilizers and keep your grass at least 3 inches high to reduce moisture loss.
 

seas the day by creating a compost pile. You can turn your food scraps into plant food by making a compost pile in your backyard or using a small bin for indoor use with special composting worms that generate high-quality fertilizer. Compost improves soil, can replace the need for fertilizers, and helps produce less garbage. If you have already done this at home you can help create a composting system at your local school or place of worship. Think of all the good nutrients that can be recycled from kids' tossed lunches! You can make a significant difference by encouraging these institutions to compost their hundreds of pounds of food leftovers each year.

Yellow Seastar

If you are not yet directly receiving them, The Ocean Project has two free e-newsletters you can subscribe to and a new blog:

  • Blue Planet News to Use: for the latest ocean and conservation communications resources, updates on science, news, policy, and exciting action opportunities.

  • Seas the Day action tips: featuring a different conservation theme each month, and inspirational information and tangible ways to help.

  • Visit our new – and regularly updated – Ocean Project blog!