With World Water Day being observed March 22, representatives of Evergreen's Uncover Your Creeks program are encouraging community members to take action to protect urban watersheds.
A watershed is an area of land where all of the water under it (groundwater) or on the surface of it (streams) goes to the same place, like a lake, ocean or larger river, according to a press release from the non-profit organization focused on inspiring people to connect with nature. Urban watersheds face unique stressors due to streams and rainwater flowing through pipes, paved surfaces, pollution and the degradation of the ecosystem.
The following are some suggestions for what community members can do to have a positive impact on their local urban watershed.
- Replace a hard surface, like concrete, with a permeable one, like gravel or paving stones. By allowing water to soak into your property, you minimize runoff and reduce the chance of flooding.
- Keep water on your property as long as possible. Storing water in a rain garden or rain barrel can help slow runoff and save water for a summer garden.
- Create a piece of art that tells a story about your watershed and share it with your friends and neighbours. Look around your neighbourhood for street art, mosaics or murals that celebrate streams.
- Get involved with citizen science and stewardship. There's a growing need for monitoring and restoring urban streams. Consider volunteering. You'll get all the training you need to take care of a stream in your neighbourhood.
- Enjoy your watershed. It's easy to forget that nature is all around us. Go for a walk with friends or family and see how many different types of animals, insects, trees and shrubs you can identify.
- Encourage native plants and wildlife. Replacing invasive plants (or your entire lawn) on your property with native ones will help support local insects and birds. As well, native plants require less water than grasses and ornamental plants. You can also join local stewardship groups working to improve biodiversity in city parks.
Residents are invited to help Evergreen and the local City Park Stewards remove invasive growth, plant native species and help restore North Vancouver's parks Saturday, March 28, 9 a.m. to noon at Greenwood Park, 23rd St. East and Ridgeway Ave. uncoveryourcreeks.ca
