Resources
Pledges
File Types
Keep America Beautiful 2020 National Litter Study Summary Report
Pledges: Litter & Plastics
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Natural Resources Defense Council 10 Ways to Reduce Plastic Pollution
Pledges: Litter & Plastics
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Dumpsters.com Curbing America’s Trash Production: Statistics and Solutions
Pledges: Litter & Plastics
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National Geographic How the Plastic Bottle Went from Miracle Container to Hated Garbage
Pledges: Litter & Plastics
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Scientific American From Fish to Humans, a Microplastic Invasion…
Pledges: Litter & Plastics
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Toledo Pet Waste Coloring Page
Pledges: Pet Poo
This is an educational coloring page for Pet Waste that includes a QR code for the Toledo Lake Erie Pet Waste page.
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Toledo Native Plants and Pollinators Coloring Page
Pledges: Native Plants & Pollinators, Super Kids
This is an educational native plants and pollinators coloring page that includes the Toledo Lake Erie QR code for the Native plants page
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Ohio Sea Grant, Stone Labs- Sustainability Tip Sheets
Pledges: Super Kids, Uncategorized, Volunteer Service
OSU students created an award winning collection of tips for sustainable practices
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TMACOG Stormwater
Pledges: Lawn Fertilizer, Native Plants & Pollinators, Septic Maintenance, Volunteer Service
Stormwater MANAGING RAIN AND SNOWMELT IN THE GREAT BLACK SWAMP Stormwater that falls on city streets is not treated at any water treatment plant. It is directed straight to area creeks and waterways. Stormwater that runs off parking lots, roofs, and other impervious surfaces often carries with it trash, gas and oil, and other pollutants. Managing stormwater keeps rivers clean and ensures that wastewater treatment plants work efficiently.
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TMACOG-How Can I Help?
Pledges: Healthy Soils, Lawn Fertilizer, Native Plants & Pollinators, Volunteer Service
TMACOG How Can I Help? HOUSEHOLDS AND BUSINESSES HAVE AN IMPACT ON WATER QUALITY People can make choices on their own property that can help keep water clean and save money in treatment costs. Thoughtful landscaping, fertilizing, and maintenance can make a difference.
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World Toilet Day Fact Sheet 2021
Pledges: Healthy Soils, Septic Maintenance
World Toilet Day celebrates toilets and raises awareness of the 3.6 billion people living without access to safely managed sanitation. It is about taking action to tackle the global sanitation crisis and achieve Sustainable Development Goal 6: water and sanitation for all by 2030
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Don’t feed the storm drains
Pledges: Super Kids, Volunteer Service
Only rain should go down the storm drains.
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Storm Drains are not Garbage Cans!
Pledges: Super Kids, Volunteer Service
Cleaning up and maintaining a storm drain in your area can reduce what's going in our rivers, streams, and lake.
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Ohio Stormwater Week 2021
Pledges: Super Kids, Volunteer Service
OH Stormwater Week 2021 Flyer Clean Streams Start with you
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You can Help |EPA
Pledges: Lawn Fertilizer, Native Plants & Pollinators, Super Kids, Volunteer Service
EPAs webpage of how you can "Be Part of the Solution to Urban Waters Pollution"
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EPA_pet_waste_PSA
Pledges: Pet Poo
The EPA states that "Droppings from pets, such as dogs, cats, exotic birds and rabbits, are deposited into rivers, streams, and other water bodies and can threaten human health."
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Pet Waste- EPA Blog
Pledges: Pet Poo
The EPA states that, "When pet waste is left behind, it washes into storm drains and ditches, and there’s nowhere it’s ok to just leave it."
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ODNR Division of Wildlife
Pledges: Waterfowl Management
The Division of Wildlife’s mission is to conserve and improve fish and wildlife resources and their habitats for sustainable use and appreciation by all.
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ODNR Division of Wildlife Canadian Geese
Pledges: Waterfowl Management
Before 1950, Canada geese were only known as migrants and winter visitors to Ohio. In the early 1950s, the Ohio Division of Wildlife initiated a program to establish resident flocks within the state. These introduction efforts were immediately successful.
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Nuisance Species: Mute Swans
Pledges: Waterfowl Management
Mute swans are commonly seen on large public lakes and are widespread throughout Ohio. They are considered a non-native invasive species in the United States and are becoming a nuisance here in Ohio. This webpage provides information on the species and control efforts, as well as useful links in the case that you are experiencing issues on your property.
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ODNR Division of Wildlife Mute Swan
Pledges: Waterfowl Management
Mute swans are a European introduction, brought over to beautify ornamental ponds. They have escaped to the wild, and feral populations are expanding, causing increasing problems as these swans are aggressive and can displace native waterfowl.
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Contact a Nuisance Trapper
Pledges: Waterfowl Management
Download a current list of licensed Commercial Nuisance Wild Animal Control Operators in Ohio to the right in the case that you are experiencing issues on your property. A helpful tip for utilizing this document is to use the find function in your PDF viewer and search based on your city or zip code.
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ODNR Goose Damage Permit
Pledges: Waterfowl Management
Most people will welcome and start feeding the first pair of geese on their pond, but these geese will soon wear out their welcome. In just a few years, a pair of geese can easily become 50 to 100 birds. The feces will foul the areas around the pond and surrounding yards and also damage the lawn, pond and other vegetation. Importantly, Canada geese are protected under both the Federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act and Ohio state law. This resource provides the information you need to know if geese become a problem on your property.
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The Water. Looking After Our Planet
Pledges: Super Kids
Our Earth surface is about 75% water, including freshwater lakes and streams in our region to the vast oceans across the Globe. This short video is helpful for explaining to young children some of the issues of water pollution ,and how they can help to reduce contamination.
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Distribution of Earth’s Water
Pledges: Super Kids, Water Conservation
While many know that 75% of the Earth's surface is covered in water, the breakdown of that distribution is fascinating to learn. This graphic illustrates the percentages of total global water, freshwater, and Surface water and other freshwater.
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Clifton Sanitation District – Water Pollution & Wastewater for Kids
Pledges: Super Kids
This resource links to webpage complied by the Clifton CO Sanitation District, which includes a great collection of Water Pollution and Wastewater resources for kids.
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OH Soil & Water Conservation Districts (SWCD)
Pledges: Lawn Fertilizer
Each Ohio county has a local Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) organized around the same political boundary, including incorporated areas such as cities and villages. Soil and Water Conservation Districts provide technical, financial, and education resources to meet the needs of local land users for conservation. SWCDs develop and implement programs to protect and conserve soil, water, prime farmland, woodland, wildlife, and urban areas.Â
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MSU Soil & Plant Nutrient Laboratory
Pledges: Lawn Fertilizer
If you feel that an area of your property is deficient in nutrients for your growing conditions, it's a good idea to know what nutrients your soil is in need of. Knowing this can help to reduce nutrient levels in runoff by targeting your fertilizers and application program to your soils specific needs.
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Look for Zero Phosphorus Lawn Fertilizer – NYSDEC
Pledges: Lawn Fertilizer
Fertilizers come in many different forms, if you choose to use them in your garden of lawn it's best to know what sort of effects they have on the ecosystems once they leave your property.
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NAPPC Protecting Monarchs Brochure
Pledges: Native Plants & Pollinators
Each fall millions of monarch butterflies migrate to overwintering sites in Mexico and California. In the spring monarchs return to breeding areas and the cycle starts again: a two-way migration that is one of the most spectacular on the planet. Yet, this migration appears to be declining. Researchers are working to determine the causes of this decline. This brochure explains more about this beautiful insects, their migration, and what you can do to support them along their way.
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CCCW Pollinator Reading List
Pledges: Native Plants & Pollinators
While there are currently lots of books that focus on the European honey bee, this reading list tries to highlight native bees and insects, which are often overlooked and are suffering their own declines. The list starts with resources for children and is followed by suggested adult readings.
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UIUC – Bumblebee Identification Key
Pledges: Native Plants & Pollinators
Native bees are a hidden treasure. From alpine meadows in the national forests of the Rocky Mountains to the Sonoran Desert in the Coronado National Forest in Arizona and from the boreal forests of the Tongass National Forest in Alaska to the Ocala National Forest in Florida, bees can be found anywhere in North America, where flowers bloom. This resource
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1-2-3 Punch
Pledges: Native Plants & Pollinators
There are three major threats toward pollinator populations learn more about them here.
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Insects Made My Sundae
Pledges: Native Plants & Pollinators
Pollinators create more than $250,000,000,000 in output annually across the globe. Their work contributes to help grow many of the foods that we love.
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Sting Guide
Pledges: Native Plants & Pollinators
Don’t let a fear of getting stung keep you from helping the important critters! It’s true that some pollinator insects sting and some insects that look like pollinators sting. There are even pollinators that look like they sting but don’t.
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Pollinator Coloring Page
Pledges: Native Plants & Pollinators, Super Kids
Our coloring pages are a fun way to highlight the important topics and pledges of Clear Choices Clean Water.
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EPA – ACT: In Your Community
Pledges: Volunteer Service
Even if you do not live near the beach, you can still protect the water quality by learning how pollution in your local stream or watershed affects water quality at downstream beaches. You can use the links provided to find out about volunteer programs and opportunities as well as state, federal, or local programs for protecting the quality of the water in your neighborhood and at the beach.
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Bee Part of the Buzz
Pledges: Native Plants & Pollinators
Pollinators are crucial to the food web, and native plants are the starting point. In fact, more than a third of crops worldwide rely on pollination—foods like honey, berries, apples, and peaches
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Your Lawn Grows Algae
Pledges: Lawn Fertilizer
Fertilizers come in many different forms, if you choose to use them in your garden of lawn it's best to know what sort of effects they have on the ecosystems once they leave your property.
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Get Back to Your Roots
Pledges: Native Plants & Pollinators
Native plants have have deep root systems that help hold soil in place and also filter out pollutants. In addition, native plants are a great food source for pollinators and provide habitat for wildlife.
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Is Water Worth Your Time?
Pledges: Volunteer Service
"Most people don’t know what kind of pollution is in their waterways, getting out sharing knowledge and experiences is the best way to change this"
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Goose Poo is Fowl Too!
Pledges: Waterfowl Management
Feeding ducks and geese is fun and entertaining especially for young children, but its harmful to. Watch this video to learn why.
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Protecting Pollinators from Common Threats Video
Pledges: Native Plants & Pollinators
Pollinators are responsible for the reproduction of about 1/3 of our food crops and almost all wild plants. But pollinator populations are declining due to a variety of threats
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What are Pollinators
Pledges: Native Plants & Pollinators
Pollinators are responsible for the reproduction of about 1/3 of our food crops and almost all wild plants. But pollinator populations are declining due to a variety of threats.
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Audubon Guide to Bird Seed
Pledges: Waterfowl Management
Bird feeding can benefit birds and also provides great birdwatching in your own backyard. This informative pamphlet offers sever wonderful tips.
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Audubon Guide to Bird Feeding
Pledges: Waterfowl Management
Bird feeding can benefit birds while also providing pleasure for people throughout the year. This pamphlet breaks down the basics of bird feeding.
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References
Pledges: Healthy Soils, Lawn Fertilizer, Native Plants & Pollinators, Pet Poo, Septic Maintenance, Super Kids, Trees, Water Conservation, Waterfowl Management
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Plant Spacing Chart
Pledges: Native Plants & Pollinators
Do you need help determining the number of plants you need for an area? Here is a chart that can help you with that.
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Xerces Society – Nesting & Overwintering Habitat for Pollinators
Pledges: Native Plants & Pollinators
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USGS Interactive Water Cycle
Pledges: Super Kids
The water cycle is apparent through the visual clues we see like fog, clouds, and rain. But, there are many other details that are involved. This interactive webpage provided by the US Geological Survey offers a complete explaination in a fun visual way.
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Water Use It Wisely Games
Pledges: Super Kids
This resource offers a collection of educational games that were compiled by the Water - Use It Wisely. This group has been educating people about water conservation and water-saving techniques in Arizona since 1999.
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Project WET – Discover Water
Pledges: Super Kids
Project WET is engaged in envisioning a world in which action-oriented education enables everyone to understand and value water, ensuring a sustainable future. This resources page offers several interactive learning tools and games.
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Hydro-Glyphics
Pledges: Super Kids
This poem created by a school student in Queens, New York has been transformed into an activity that may help to inspire learning about water and conservation.
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Fishing Coloring Page
Pledges: Super Kids
Our coloring pages are a fun way to highlight the important topics and pledges of Clear Choices Clean Water.
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Water Cycle Coloring Page
Pledges: Super Kids
Our coloring pages are a fun way to highlight the important topics and pledges of Clear Choices Clean Water.
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River Coloring Page
Pledges: Super Kids
Our coloring pages are a fun way to highlight the important topics and pledges of Clear Choices Clean Water.
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Lake Coloring Page
Pledges: Super Kids
Our coloring pages are a fun way to highlight the important topics and pledges of Clear Choices Clean Water.
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Otter Coloring Page
Pledges: Super Kids
Our coloring pages are a fun way to highlight the important topics and pledges of Clear Choices Clean Water.
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Splashing Frog Coloring Page
Pledges: Super Kids
Our coloring pages are a fun way to highlight the important topics and pledges of Clear Choices Clean Water.
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Water Everywhere Coloring Page
Pledges: Super Kids
Our coloring pages are a fun way to highlight the important topics and pledges of Clear Choices Clean Water.
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Water Lily Coloring Page
Pledges: Super Kids
Our coloring pages are a fun way to highlight the important topics and pledges of Clear Choices Clean Water.
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Frog on Lily Pad Coloring Page
Pledges: Super Kids
Our coloring pages are a fun way to highlight the important topics and pledges of Clear Choices Clean Water.
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Earth Day Coloring Page
Pledges: Super Kids
Our coloring pages are a fun way to highlight the important topics and pledges of Clear Choices Clean Water.
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EPA – Trash and Climate Change
Pledges: Super Kids
Planet Protectors Discover the Hidden Reasons To Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle.
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EPA – Planet Protectors
Pledges: Super Kids
The US Environmental Protection Agency has created an activity book that offers several answers to the question, "What on earth can you do with an old jelly jar".
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EPA – Follow That Trail
Pledges: Super Kids
Someone dropped an important note, but sticky fingers wiped out some of the words. Follow the suspect’s footprints around the house to learn more about the Earth and its resources, and to look for clues to solve the mystery at the end.
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EPA – Case of the Broken Loop
Pledges: Super Kids
Follow the detective through each of these activities to learn more about reducing waste and conserving resources. All you need is a pencil and your ace detective skills to solve the puzzle at the end. If you need help, turn to the answers in the back. Don’t let the Garbage Gremlin slip away!
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USGS Water Cycle
Pledges: Super Kids
The water cycle is apparent through the visual clues we see like fog, clouds, and rain. But, there are many more details involved. This resource provided by the US Geological Survey offers a complete explaination in a fun visual way, and is also offered in as an interactive webpage.
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Indiana Chamber of Commerce Report 2014: Water & Economic Development
Pledges: Water Conservation
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4R’s of Nutrient Stewardship
Pledges: Healthy Soils, Lawn Fertilizer, Native Plants & Pollinators
The 4Rs are stewardship principals which promote best management practices to achieve cropping system goals while minimizing field nutrient loss and maximizing crop uptake.
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How to Read a Fertilizer Label
Pledges: Healthy Soils, Lawn Fertilizer, Native Plants & Pollinators
Fertilizer nutrient labels provide a breakdown of the products contents. This document provide a short explanation of what these labels mean
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Penn State Extension – Reading a Pesticide Label
Pledges: Healthy Soils, Lawn Fertilizer, Native Plants & Pollinators
Commercial and industrial pesticide products are registered with the Environmental Protection Agency and their labels provide a bounty of different information. This clarifying document provides a valuable background for understanding these labels.
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U of Minnesota Extension – Algae Adage
Pledges: Healthy Soils, Lawn Fertilizer
One pound of phosphorus can produce from 300 to 500 pounds of algae. We've stated this as a fact on many of the Clear Choices Clean Waters material. But, where did this knowledge come from. This informative document explains in plain language where this detail was derived and what it means for you. The document was created with the perspective of Minnesota waters in mind, but is just as relevant in our area as well.
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Soil Testing Laboratories
Pledges: Healthy Soils, Lawn Fertilizer
If you feel that an area of your property is deficient in nutrients for your growing conditions, it's a good idea to know what nutrients your soil is in need of. Knowing this can help to reduce nutrient levels in runoff by targeting your fertilizers and application program to your soils specific needs. Here is a supplemental list of soil testing labs compiled by the Plant and Pest Diagnostic Laboratory at Purdue University.
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Hoosier Riverwatch – Eutrophication Process
Pledges: Lawn Fertilizer
Eutrophication as explained in this infographic is the overabundance of nutrients in a waterbody. This document provides a simple explanation of the sources and effects of eutrophication from a watershed perspective.
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NOAA Podcast – Eutrophication
Pledges: Lawn Fertilizer
This podcast short features Dr. Suzanne Bricker from the National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science who explains some of the ground level understanding of eutrophication.
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Gulf of Mexico Hypoxia
Pledges: Lawn Fertilizer
This website outlines the aquatic condition known as hypoxia, or oxygen depletion, and offers an in-depth explanation of hypoxia in the Gulf of Mexico
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US EPA/Mississippi River & Gulf of Mexico Task Force – Hypoxia 101
Pledges: Lawn Fertilizer
Hypoxia is an aquatic condition that creates "dead zones" in a waterbody, in our area it is related to the eutrophication of our waterbodies. Hypoxia also occurs in other parts of the country and the world. This resource provides some of the key knowledge for understanding hypoxia and its effects on the environment.
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What You Do Matters
Pledges: Healthy Soils, Lawn Fertilizer, Native Plants & Pollinators, Pet Poo, Septic Maintenance, Super Kids, Trees, Volunteer Service, Water Conservation, Waterfowl Management
This simple infographic illustrates how the choices you make, may actually result in creating sources of pollution that effect the aquatic ecosystem in your watershed.
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