Protect Our Waterways, Preserve Our Way of Life
Whether you fish the rivers and bays, play at the beach, dine seaside, or are fortunate enough to live by the water, it’s on all of us to protect and preserve our estuaries.
A Holistic Approach
From investments in critical infrastructure upgrades to sharing best practices for protecting soil health and reducing soil erosion, the Pensacola & Perdido Bays Estuary Program is working with partners in a variety of sectors to develop and implement ecosystem level solutions to protect our waters and invest in our future.
Small Choices Can Make a Big Impact
While system-level changes are critical to protecting and preserving our waterways, there are a number of smaller ways you can support these efforts in your everyday life that are just as important.
Be careful around seagrass
Protect our marine nurseries. If you’re boating near the shore, go slow where seagrasses grow and make sure your motor isn’t churning up mud or grass. Polarized lenses can help you see those areas underwater, and manatees too. Trim up to give sea life a chance.
Minimize use of pesticides and fertilizers
While these chemicals keep your yard looking nice, they can wreak havoc on estuary ecosystems. Try to minimize how much and how often you use these products in your yard. Don’t treat right before a rainstorm, and if you live near the water, leave 10 feet untreated up to the water’s edge. Learn more about smart fertilizer use
Choose permeable pavers (materials) over concrete
Permeable pavers and other porous surfaces help reduce stormwater runoff that carries pollutants from flowing into the estuary. Whenever possible, choose permeable pavers with wide spacing, gravel, or stone for patios and driveways that allow water to soak into the ground.
Storm drains are for stormwater
Keep stormwater drains clear of trash, yard debris, litter, or grass clippings. Anything other than rainwater is a pollutant and can disrupt the delicate balance of our waterways, not to mention clogging storm drains and causing flooding.
Watch what you flush
Anything more than toilet paper and human waste should be put in the trash, not the toilet. This is especially important for those “flushable wipes,” which wreck havoc on our sewer systems. Sewer systems can clog and overflow, eventually polluting our waterways. That stinks…literally.
No fats, oils, or grease down the drain
Fats, oils, and grease can clog your sewer line, just like cholesterol can clog your arteries. Don’t pour them down the drain. Dispose of them in a sealed container, either in the trash or at a local disposal center.
Keep shorelines soft and “living”
Consider a natural or “living” shoreline instead of seawalls or bulkheads for waterfront property. These softer, more natural, shorelines filter stormwater runoff, absorb storm surge and reduce erosion, and provide habitat for estuary creatures and critters. Plus they’re cheaper and require less maintenance!
Keep septic systems maintained
Septic systems that aren’t maintained can cause major problems for homeowners and the environment. Ensure that your septic system is inspected every few years, or consider connecting to a sewer system.
Become an Estuary Explorer Today
Join our Estuary Explorer program to learn about and interact with some of our region’s most spectacular natural habitats and earn some cool swag, too.
Save Our Waterways, Save Hu-Manatee
Show your local pride with merchandise to benefit the Pensacola & Perdido Bays Estuary Program!