Welcome Spring and Summer with Sustainable Practices

 Welcome spring and summer with open arms! 

As the weather gets warmer and the days get longer, it's a perfect time to think about the health of our surrounding environment and ecosystems. From the tiniest pollinators to the largest ocean currents, everything is interconnected and has a role to play in the global water cycle.

One of the best ways we can take care of our local environment and ultimately benefit ocean reef health is through sustainable landscaping practices. By properly maintaining our lawns and gardens, using safe and healthy soil amendments, supporting native species, and preventing pollution runoff into our local waterways, we can make a positive impact on the world's water systems. Traditional lawn care methods such as using synthetic fertilizers and pesticides can contribute to water pollution, which can have negative effects on aquatic life and ecosystems. When it rains, these chemicals can be washed from the lawn and leach into our local waterways and ultimately the ocean, threatening reefs and other ocean ecosystems. To minimize negative impacts this summer, join us to implement these sustainable lawn care practices:

 

• Use organic fertilizers, such as compost, worm castings, or fish emulsion, to nourish your lawn, plants, and garden without harming the local environment and waterways.
• Try using natural pest control methods, like introducing beneficial insects (e.g., ladybugs and lacewings) or using horticultural oils, insecticidal soaps, or exploring the many other natural pest repellents such as coffee grounds to reduce mosquitos. 
• Reduce the total amount of grass lawn area by planting native plants, clovers, and wildflowers, which not only require less water but also attract pollinators like bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.
• Try Xeriscaping, an environmentally-friendly landscaping technique that focuses on using drought-tolerant, low-water-consuming plants, and reducing excess unused lawn space. Planning methods to grow healthy properties, support water conservation and pollution prevention, while benefiting local ecosystems and pollinator species such as bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.

 

Speaking of pollinators, did you know they play a crucial role in the global water cycle by helping plants reproduce and grow, ultimately filling underground aquifers and springs with the abundance of healthy root systems? Without pollinators, many plants wouldn't be able to produce fruit or seeds, which can have a ripple effect throughout the food chain and threaten countless species globally. By planting a pollinator garden, you not only benefit these tiny ecosystems, but also create a beautiful and diverse landscape to enjoy our living world. Benefits to planting a pollinator garden:

 

• Provides essential food and habitat for bees, butterflies, and other pollinators, supporting their populations.
• Increases plant diversity, leading to a more resilient ecosystem.
• Adds beauty and interest to your landscape, with a variety of colorful flowers and plants.

 

Soil health is another crucial factor in sustainable landscaping. Healthy soil can better absorb and filter rainwater, preventing pollution from runoff that ends up in our local waterways and oceans. By composting food scraps and yard waste, you can create nutrient-rich soil that will help your plants thrive while also reducing the amount of polluting wastes in landfills. Using natural soil amendments such as compost tea, worm castings, activated carbons, and rock dust can also improve soil health without harming the environment. To improve soil health this growing season, consider these practices:

 

• Compost food scraps and yard waste to create carbon and nutrient-rich soil amendments, using bio wastes for good rather than letting it become a problem in landfills.
• Implement rainwater management techniques, such as rain barrels or rain gardens, to capture and filter stormwater, reducing runoff pollution.
• Incorporate cover crops, organized grazing, mulching, and other regenerative practices to protect soil from erosion and enhance its structure and fertility.

 

As the summer season approaches, it's essential to recognize that sustainable practices at home, both indoors and outdoors, are crucial for promoting a healthier environment and protecting our ocean ecosystems. Embracing eco-friendly habits within our living spaces can have a lasting positive impact on our surroundings and complement the sustainable efforts we make in our gardens and landscapes. By focusing on water conservation and waste reduction, we can work together to create a healthier and more sustainable future. Here are some eco-friendly tips for the home:

 

• Install water-saving devices, like low-flow showerheads and faucets, to conserve water and reduce the strain on water resources. Fix any leaks in your home, and use a dishwasher instead of hand-washing dishes, as it typically uses less water.
• Conserve water: Fix leaks, use a dishwasher instead of hand-washing dishes, and practice water-saving habits in the bathroom, such as taking shorter showers. Practice water-wise gardening by using drip irrigation systems or watering during cooler parts of the day to minimize evaporation.
• Use eco-friendly products: Choose non-toxic, biodegradable cleaning products, eco-friendly detergents, and to lessen your environmental impact while maintaining a clean and healthy home. Opt for reusable alternatives to disposable items, plan meals to reduce food waste, and responsibly dispose of electronics and other waste products to prevent pollution in our waterways and oceans.
• Energy-efficient cooling and lighting: Use energy-efficient air conditioners or fans, close curtains during the hottest parts of the day, and switch to LED or CFL bulbs to reduce energy consumption.
• Start an indoor herb garden: Grow your herbs indoors to reduce the need for store-bought herbs, which often come in plastic packaging and are transported long distances.

 

It's important to remember that everyone and everything is interconnected in the great ecosystem that is our world. Each of our local environments and ecosystems are part of a larger water system that includes people and other water-based life forms, the oceans, rivers & streams, snow & ice, and the air we breathe. Every action we take, no matter how small, we create ripple effects throughout this system. Implementing various sustainable practices this spring and summer season, we can all make positive impacts on our part of a larger ecosystem and be Reef Healers together.