How Can You Help?
Make a Difference by Volunteering
Once a year, the community comes together for Boneyard Creek Community Day to clean up and remove trash from the waterway and surrounding areas. Last year alone, 330 volunteers came together to clean up 845 acres of land, 3.9 miles of shore and removed 1 shore mile of invasive species. To make a difference in your community and participate in this year's upcoming event, check out boneyardcreek.org for registration details. |
Slideshow of 2014 Boneyard Creek Community Day. Photos publishedby the The News Gazette.
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Limit Your Impact on the Environment
Limit Fertilization of Yards
The phosphorus in lawn fertilizers cause algae blooms in waterways which can choke off fish and other aquatic organisms. Follow the directions on the fertilizer label and you can maximize the green of your lawn while minimizing runoff into waterways.
Limit Fertilization of Yards
The phosphorus in lawn fertilizers cause algae blooms in waterways which can choke off fish and other aquatic organisms. Follow the directions on the fertilizer label and you can maximize the green of your lawn while minimizing runoff into waterways.
Properly Dispose of Harmful Wastes
Don’t pour paint, used oil, cleaning solvents, polishes, pool chemicals, insecticides, medications, or other hazardous household chemicals down the drain. Many of these contain dangerous compounds that can accumulate in the waterways and eventually reach our drinking water.
Don’t pour paint, used oil, cleaning solvents, polishes, pool chemicals, insecticides, medications, or other hazardous household chemicals down the drain. Many of these contain dangerous compounds that can accumulate in the waterways and eventually reach our drinking water.
Help Stop Aquarium Dumping
It is against the law to introduce an exotic (non-native) aquatic organism such as fish, snails and plants to a natural waterway. Now a popular method of disposing fish among aquarium enthusiasts, it is detrimental to the environment due to the following reasons: • Prey upon native fish and other aquatic flora and fauna. • Cause the establishment of aquatic weeds and snails. • Spread parasitic organisms either directly or indirectly from introduced aquatic plants carrying water snails that harbor parasites. • Affect the genetics of native species by cross-breeding. |
Video of Large Goldfish affected by a mutation assumed to be introduced by aquarium dumping into Lake Tahoe
• Establish colonies that compete for available food supplies and habitat, and displace native fish populations. • Spread disease that may affect native fish and other aquatic fauna. (4) |
Clean Up After Your Pets
Practice good ownership of your furry friends by walking animals away from shoreline and picking up after them to reduce the possible spread of disease, keep the lawn and creek looking pristine and healthy for growing vegetation, control the presence of flies and keep other dogs safe (4).
Contact Your Local Representative
Let them know you care about the water quality in your area! If your State Senator knows that theirs contingents want to protect the waterways, then they can help support bills to take care of them. Log onto govtrack.us/congress/members/IL to find your Illinois Representatives.
Practice good ownership of your furry friends by walking animals away from shoreline and picking up after them to reduce the possible spread of disease, keep the lawn and creek looking pristine and healthy for growing vegetation, control the presence of flies and keep other dogs safe (4).
Contact Your Local Representative
Let them know you care about the water quality in your area! If your State Senator knows that theirs contingents want to protect the waterways, then they can help support bills to take care of them. Log onto govtrack.us/congress/members/IL to find your Illinois Representatives.
References
(1) Impacts of Lawn Fertizilation. The University of Vermont. http://www.uvm.edu/~vlrs/doc/lawnfert.htm
(2) Boneyard Creek Community Day. http://www.boneyardcreek.org/
(3) Sewage Handling. Illinois Clean Marina Guidebook. 62-68. http://www.dnr.illinois.gov/cmp/Documents/SewageHandling.pdf
(4) http://www.pir.sa.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0014/13091/aquarium_fish.pdf
(5) http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Articles/clean_up_waste.cfm
Photo Credit
Opening Image: Boneyard Creek Community Day. http://www.boneyardcreek.org/
Image 2. Eco Art Addresses Littering. http://greenobservermagazine.com/phpsystem/outwithphp.php?q=530141beeab902be3d
http://www.news-gazette.com/multimedia/photogallery/2014-04-23/boneyard-creek-community-day-2014
http://www.witravelbestbets.com/tag/fishing/
http://www.aspcapetinsurance.com/pet-insurance-blog/post/Making-Outside-Walks-a-Walk-in-the-Park.aspx
(1) Impacts of Lawn Fertizilation. The University of Vermont. http://www.uvm.edu/~vlrs/doc/lawnfert.htm
(2) Boneyard Creek Community Day. http://www.boneyardcreek.org/
(3) Sewage Handling. Illinois Clean Marina Guidebook. 62-68. http://www.dnr.illinois.gov/cmp/Documents/SewageHandling.pdf
(4) http://www.pir.sa.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0014/13091/aquarium_fish.pdf
(5) http://www.drsfostersmith.com/Articles/clean_up_waste.cfm
Photo Credit
Opening Image: Boneyard Creek Community Day. http://www.boneyardcreek.org/
Image 2. Eco Art Addresses Littering. http://greenobservermagazine.com/phpsystem/outwithphp.php?q=530141beeab902be3d
http://www.news-gazette.com/multimedia/photogallery/2014-04-23/boneyard-creek-community-day-2014
http://www.witravelbestbets.com/tag/fishing/
http://www.aspcapetinsurance.com/pet-insurance-blog/post/Making-Outside-Walks-a-Walk-in-the-Park.aspx