Old Town North Community pitches in to Save the Bay--Saturday, June 5, 9-11a.m.

 

You Can Help Protect the Bay!

On Saturday, June 5, the Department of Transportation and Environmental Services invites the community to participate in the Chesapeake Bay Foundation’s 33rd annual Clean the Bay Day, which will serve as the City’s Chesapeake Bay Awareness Week kickoff event. The cleanup will be held rain-or-shine from 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. at Oronoco Bay Park located at 100 Madison St. To sign up for the event on June 5th, visit the Chesapeake Bay Foundation webpage and click the button that says “Join Gavin’s Team” (registration is encouraged, but not required). For this type of event, it is recommended that you bring your own gloves and water/snacks as well as sun protection and monitor the latest COVID-19 guidance provided by the City.

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Participating in Chesapeake Bay watershed cleanup events is just one of the many things you can do to increase awareness of the importance of the Bay this week and throughout the year.

Here are some additional actions you can take to help protect the Chesapeake Bay:

  • Test your soil using a soil kit from Virginia Cooperative Extension. Know how much fertilizer to use and don’t over fertilize. Or better yet, don’t fertilize at all if it isn’t necessary! Never fertilize or use pesticides if it is going to rain within 24 hours. Fertilizers and pesticides can end up in streams and harm aquatic life.

  • Do not discharge pool water into storm drains. Chlorinated water can harm aquatic life and wildlife resources. It is important to follow property swimming pool water discharge guidelines and understand where your discharge water is going. If you suspect contamination in our City’s waterways, please contact Alex311.

  • Plant a tree. Trees use nutrients and can prevent those nutrients from entering our streams. Their roots also hold the soil in place, which helps prevent erosion. Please consider planting a tree this fall due to the emergence of the Brood X Cicadas.

  • Landscape your yard using plants that are native to Alexandria. These plants are adapted to local conditions and, if planted in the right place, need less water and other care. Native plants also support butterflies, birds, bees, and other pollinators. Need ideas of what native plants are right for your yard? Visit www.plantnovanatives.org to learn more.

  • Use a rain barrel to capture roof runoff during storms and use that water to water the plants in your yard. Please visit the City’s rain barrel page to learn more about rain barrels.

  • Build a rain garden to help capture runoff and help filter out pollutants, like sediment and nutrients. Using native plants in your rain garden helps provide food and shelter for butterflies, bees, and birds.

  • Pick up after your dog. Pet waste left on the ground gets washed into storm drains or streams by rain. Remember to place the bagged waste in a trash can.

  • Keep our City litter free. Any litter you drop in the street, on the sidewalk, or in a park will likely end up in a local stream and eventually the Chesapeake Bay. Besides looking bad, it harms the environment and wildlife.

  • Educate your family, friends, and neighbors about the importance of protecting our local water resources, the Potomac River, and the Chesapeake Bay.

Please visit www.alexandriava.gov/CleanWaterways to find out more about what the City is doing to help protect the Chesapeake Bay.

Linda Vitello