How can I take action without getting wet?
Get Involved. Join an already established watershed group or start your own. Find out if there is a local Izaak Walton League chapter near you by checking our Web site here. There are many things you can do to help their efforts without going into the field: offer to record data in a database after a monitoring event; write an article for their newsletter; or help organize or publicize a project or event.
If your local chapter doesn’t have a Save Our Streams program or needs support to revitalize one, offer to help them get one up and running. The League has developed a resource publication, the Save Our Streams Watershed Stewardship Action Kit, to help you. It is available from McDonald and Woodward Publishing, (800) 233-8787 or www.mwpubco.com/.
If you don’t have a local Izaak Walton League chapter, you can start one. For further assistance, contact sos@iwla.org or call (800) BUG-IWLA.
Give a Presentation. Take pictures of your local watershed, make posters, gather maps, or put together a PowerPoint presentation. Contact local schools, civic groups, garden clubs, youth programs, scout troops, or other local community groups and ask if you can talk to them about their watershed. Find out how they are already engaged in the community and share with them ways they can become more active in local conservation efforts. Project ideas can include starting a letter-writing campaign to their legislators, submitting articles to the local newspaper, and participating in community-wide educational events. Click here for advocacy opportunities and watershed stewardship resources.
Become a sediment control scout. Sediment is the leading factor in stream degradation today. It smothers aquatic organisms and fish eggs, preventing reproduction and destroying the food source for many fish. It also clogs fish gills, prevents light from reaching aquatic plants, and changes the physical aspects of the stream, sometimes causing flooding. If you live in an area where development is increasing, sediment inspectors may appreciate your help in watching for violations on building sites. Start by becoming familiar with your state laws on sediment control. After that, sediment control inspection doesn’t have to be time-consuming. Often, scouting can be done while you’re driving around doing errands. Other times, you may need to walk around a building site, keeping in mind not to trespass and to put your safety first at all times. For more information about laws and regulations concerning sediment, go to www.epa.gov/owowwtr1/NPS/elistudy/nonpoin3.html#2.
And don’t forget to look in your own backyard. Are you contributing to soil erosion and the sediment that flows into your local stream? Check out the League’s “Backyard Wetland Conservation Series” via our Backyard Wetland Conservation archives, to see how you can improve your own backyard through simple landscaping and water conservation practices. We also have DVDs available for those who want to organize group viewings. Contact sos@iwla.org to request these.
Remember, protecting our water resources doesn’t mean you have to go down to the stream and get wet. There are many other ways citizens like you can help.