Bluegrass PRIDE Provides Ideas for New Year’s Resolutions
[Lexington, Ky.] –For the fifth year, Bluegrass PRIDE (Personal Responsibility In a Desirable Environment) is offering Central Kentuckians ideas for environmentally-friendly New Year’s resolutions. In 2009, the organization is asking citizens throughout its 18-county service area to complete and return resolutions to make small changes that can have a big impact on water quality. The resolutions are:
Directing gutter downspouts away from paved areas to minimize stormwater runoff.
Picking up pet waste to prevent it from polluting streams and waterways.
Checking vehicles for fluid leaks to prevent them from traveling into stormwater systems.
Taking cars to the car wash or washing them on the lawn instead of in the driveway, reducing or negating the risk of stormwater runoff.
Not mowing to the edge of a creek, preventing grass clippings from entering the waterway.
Using fertilizers sparingly and making sure to avoid driveways, roads and sidewalks, being careful to sweep up any fertilizer that does appear in these areas.
Planting grasses or plants on bare spots in yards. Bare areas erode easily, allowing soil to move off of property and settle in waterways as sediment.
Installing a rain barrel to reduce stormwater runoff and conserve water.
Using low-phosphorous detergents. When high phosphorous levels are found in waterways the water can become toxic to both humans and aquatic life.
Organizing a neighborhood litter cleanup to reduce the amount of trash in streams and waterways.
Regularly (every 3-5 years) pumping septic tanks. Failing septic systems allow large amounts of viruses and bacteria to contaminate the surface of the ground and any nearby surface waters.
Joining a local watershed watch to help with citizen water quality testing.
Citizens who wish to take part in the program may select as many or as few resolutions as they wish. In addition, anyone who completes and returns resolutions will be entered to win prizes, such as car wash gift certificates, a rain barrel and rain gauges, which will help them remain conscious of water quality protection. While hard copies of resolution cards are sent to Bluegrass PRIDE members, anyone who is interested in participating in the program or finding supporting information on any of the resolutions may do so by visiting www.KentuckyPRIDE.com. Resolutions may also be completed manually and mailed to PO Box 910384 Lexington, KY 40591. Any resolutions received in this manner will be entered into the drawing for prizes.
“The New Year’s resolution program is a great way to keep attention on pressing environmental issues, particularly around such a busy time as the holidays,” said Amy Sohner, executive director of Bluegrass PRIDE. “We decided several years ago that instead of sending holiday cards, we would begin distributing New Year’s resolution cards to offer ways for people make small changes that really add up and have a positive impact on the environment.”
Bluegrass PRIDE is a 501(c)3 organization devoted to providing environmental resources and information to schools, community groups, local governments and citizens throughout 18 counties in Central Kentucky.
