Five Things You Can Do for Creeks
- Eliminate or reduce your use of pesticides, herbicides and chemical fertilizers. Use compost to provide natural, slow-acting fertilizer. Control pests with non-toxic alternatives
such as hand-picking, traps, closing up holes, and encouraging predatory insects. Ask your local nursery or hardware store for information on less-toxic chemicals or
contact 510- 670-5543, 1-888-BAYWISE, 510-524-2567, or www.igc.apc.org/birc. Especially avoid products containing bifenthrin, carbaryl (Sevin), chlorpyrifos, cyfluthrin, cypermethrin,
deltamethrin, diazinon, esfenvalerate, lambda-csyhalothrin, Malathion, and
permethrin, which poison aquatic
life.
- Help water to filter into the soil and thus reduce runoff pollution and sudden, erosive storm flows. Keep impervious surfaces to a minimum on your property.
Use chips, gravel, sand, wood decking, or permeable paving rather than concrete. Don't pave over the strip between sidewalk and street. Leave a green median in your
driveway. Keep your yard well planted and mulched, and make downspouts discharge to planted areas where water can soak in and provide a healthy, natural flow to
creeks.
- Plant to keep creeks shady so the water stays cool, and to reduce erosion. Native plants can provide good habitat and erosion control with a minimum of care.
Keep native vegetation where it exists along creeks. Replace invasive non-native plants such as English ivy, Himalayan blackberry, Cape or German ivy, Pampas grass,
and ice plant with suitable natives.
- Don't pour or wash ANYTHING down gutters or storm drains. They drain directly to creeks or the bay. Wash vehicles and equipment with water only. Wash on
dirt or grass where soapy water won't run off to the street or storm drains. Use your local car wash. Don't let motor oil run into gutters; ask your city about proper
disposal of oil, antifreeze, concrete, paint, solvents, and other chemicals. Report illegal discharges.
- Drive less! Auto exhaust particles, leaking fluids, and debris from tire and brake-pad wear are major sources of Bay Area water pollution. Walk, bicycle, carpool, use
transit; plan errands to reduce driving.
Join Friends of Five Creeks for creek restoration, work parties, wildlife surveys, and other work for creeks and watersheds: 510 848 9358, F5creeks@aol.com.
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