PROTECTING CLEAN WATER TOGETHER
This is a series of articles with a focus on how to protect our limited water resources.
Fast Fashion Fouls Water & the Earth
March 2024
If you sometimes lose heart about making a difference in the world, you should know that one small, but real step starts with your closet. It doesn’t take a lot of thought to understand that fast-fashion clothes are a planetary nightmare.
Where are you in the Watershed?
February 2024
Whether aware of it or not, you have a place in this rich, natural landscape. Getting to know the names of creeks you see every day, where their waters rise and where they go, is a big first step in feeling connected to it all yourself.
Water is a highly delicate resource
January 2024
Healthy creeks flow clean and clear. Soil erosion and land disturbance can harm creeks large and small and put water plants, fish and micro invertebrates at risk.
A Drop in the Bucket
December 2023
A clean car, clean creeks, pure drinking water — a drop in the bucket can be a very good thing.
Keeping Gunk Out
November 2023
Someone asked whether it was okay to drink from a creek. I debated for a minute, thinking how often I’d done just that. And then said, no, that’s not a great idea. You never know when there’s a dead deer in the creek upstream.
Where is “away”
October 2023
When we throw stuff “away” — by flushing expired or no-longer-needed drugs — it doesn’t magically vanish.
Talking Dirt
September 2023
It’s not natural, or normal, for rain to erode enough soil into a creek to make it run muddy. To trout, bugs, and aquatic plants, mud can be a deadly menace.
Trouble With Dams
August 2023
Floodwater erodes creek banks, injures aquatic habitats, spreads contaminants, and can foul both water and soil. “Green infrastructure” can help keep stormwater under control.
Tired of Trash?
July 2023
Deposit laws work! They cut down on beverage containers trashing the scenery, reduce waste going to landfills, and conserve resources.
Hard Stuff Disposal
June 2023
Solar Saves Water
May 2023
Earth Day
April 2023
Earth Day is April 22. The single biggest thing you can do to protect Planet Earth? Get involved with local government.
Good Weeds
March 2023
These ideas help conserve and protect water: resilient gardens, lower-maintenance gardens, and embracing native “good weeds” like goldenrod, ironweed, and Joe Pye weed.
Well Water
February 2023
Most wells in the Brodhead watershed are drilled down to below the water table, where layers of rock, soil, sand, and sediments are saturated with water.
Snow Cover Matters
January 2023
It overlies so much ground, in fact, that snow cover controls Earth’s patterns of heating and cooling more than any other surface feature on the planet.
Real or Artificial?
December 2022
Choosing a real or manufactured Christmas tree has implications for the environment.
Family Forest Program
November 2022
Learn more about how the Family Forest Carbon Program enables property owners to access carbon markets.
Master Watershed Steward Program
October 2022
Learn more about the Penn State Extension Master Watershed Steward program.
Brown Lawn?
September 2022
After a summer of brown grass and endless, fruitless watering, here’s an idea: Instead of investing all that time, energy and water in grass, go on a lawn diet.
“Throw It Away”
August 2022
Ever wonder just exactly where “away” is? Except for occasional space junk, the things we throw “away” stay right here.
Ditch Single-Use Plastic
July 2022
Drinking straws, water bottles, shopping bags, plastic forks, styrofoam takeout boxes — we can make better choices for all of these things.
Garden for wildlife
June 2022
Create a backyard habitat that supports native wildlife and protects your drinking water.
Become a water-miser
May 2022
Successful vegetable and flower gardeners have six strategies that save you time, energy and water.
Compost your scraps
April 2022
Up to 95 percent of waste that could be composted ends up in landfills instead.
Create a native habitat
March 2022
Whatever the size of your garden, using native plants makes sense, and not just for water quality.
Ditch the grease
February 2022
Put your septic system on a fat-free diet to help the watershed – and yourself!
Please pass on the salt
January 2022
Snow-melting salt used in winter can seep into watershed all year long.