Being Nature-Friendly is So Easy

Being nature-friendly is something many of us rarely think about, or we worry it is complicated and a lot of work. But, actually it takes just a few simple actions every once in a while. Just a few extra steps can help protect wildlife, clean up our community, and keep our water safe. Take a look at these easy tips and try a few for yourself.

Water (and everything else) runs downhill. Storm water carries trash, bacteria, and toxic chemical pollution from our yards and streets into Lake Erie.

Plastic and trash. Tons of litter and trash pile up every year on land and in the water. It lasts for hundreds of years.

* Pick up litter and teach your children the importance of not littering.

* Take reusable grocery bags when you shop, and return plastic bags to be recycled.

* Cut handles of bags before throwing away to prevent animal injury and bags in the trees.

* Cut all the links in plastic beverage holders to save animals from entanglement.

* Avoid microfiber materials. They contain tiny flakes of plastic that get into the water and into the fish.

* Reduce the amount of non-recyclables used such as straws and picnic ware. Encourage the use of recyclable-only items at meetings and events.

* Use your city-provided recycle bin. The list of recyclables is on the lid.

Bees and food. Bees, butterflies (and other insects) carry pollen from plant to plant. Without pollination, one-third of the world’s fruits and vegetables (including tomatoes) cannot produce food.

* Reduce or eliminate fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides that harm pollinators, animals, and our drinking water.

* Plant pollinator-friendly flowers. The best ones are local native plants. For information, contact the OSU Master Gardeners, 216-429-8200.

Around the home and yard.

* Pick up pet waste to reduce bacteria in the lake.

* Use low-phosphate cleaners and detergents such as Seventh Generation to prevent algae blooms in Lake Erie.

* Use non-toxic cleaners such as soap & water, baking soda, vinegar, and borax. For more informationcontact cuyahogaswcd.org, 216-524-6480.

* Take unwanted prescriptions to a community drop-off.

For the environment.

* Never throw unwanted pet turtles, fish or other aquatic animals into a waterway. They can push out the native species. The greenery sold with them can fill a pond quickly and is almost impossible to eradicate. For advice, contact a pet store or Cleveland Metroparks, 440-473-3370.

* Put fishing line pieces away in a container with a lid, not in the water or on the ground. It doesn’t degrade and harms wildlife and fish.

* Join or donate to an environmental organization.

To learn more contact:

Cuyahoga Soil & Water Conservation District

http://www.cuyahogaswcd.org

216-524-6580

Friends of Euclid Creek

http://www.euclidcreekwatershed.org

FriendsofEuclidCreek@gmail.com

Northeast Ohio Sewer District

http://www.neorsd.org/stormwater-watersheds.php

Cleveland Metroparks Watershed Center

wsc@clevelandmetroparks.com

440-887-1968

Cuyahoga County Recycle Information

http://www.cuyahogarecycles.org

216-443-3749

Bee and Native Plant Information

http://u.osu.edu/beelab/gardening-for-bees/