Certify Your Property As Watershed-Friendly

Is your property watershed friendly?

Many property owners strive to lessen environmental impacts and use sound ecological practices, while others would like to learn how to do more. By making wise choices and following some simple guidelines, managing your garden and lawn can help protect Pennsylvania’s watersheds.

Why does this matter? Stormwater runoff is precipitation that does not infiltrate and flows over the ground, roofs, buildings, sidewalks, parking lots, and through storm drains before reaching the nearest waterway. Runoff picks-up pollutants such as fertilizer, pesticides, pet waste, trash, sediment, chemicals and more before dumping them directly into waterways. This can create inhospitable habitats for fish and other wildlife and potentially affect our drinking water. Increased stormwater can lead to flooding and other issues. However, every property owner can make a positive impact on the health of our waterways.

The Watershed-Friendly Property Certification recognizes Pennsylvania residents who incorporate best practices to minimize and/or eliminate potential harmful impacts to our water resources, as well as provide habitat for wildlife and pollinators. The certification is open to properties of different aesthetics and sizes, from small urban plots up to 15 acres and include enough best-management practices for reducing stormwater runoff and pollution, conserving water, and providing beneficial habitats for wildlife and pollinators to reach the qualifying 85% score.

To learn more about this process, the Master Watershed Stewards will host a Watershed-Friendly Property Certification webinar on Monday, April 12, at 7 p.m.

Registration and details can be found at extension.psu.edu/watershed-friendly-property-certification-program.