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Depending on your latitude (how far north or south you live), you may spot young painted turtles emerging from nests sometime between late May and mid-June. These turtles have been overwintering underground where they may have even been partially frozen! As turtles emerge from their nests, they will likely head for the closest body of [...]

A persistent icepack never formed over Lake Erie this past winter – the fourth warmest on record for the contiguous United States – and that has given smelly, blue-green algae a head start less than a year after it swelled to record levels.  This image, taken from NASA’s Terra Satellite, caught the roots of another [...]

Did you know that a dead zone the size of the state of New Jersey forms in the northern Gulf of Mexico every spring? A dead zone is an area of low-oxygen water that gets its name because aquatic wildlife either leaves the area or dies. One contributor to the formation of dead zones is [...]

Nitrogen is an important element for life on the Earth – it supports aquatic ecosystems by helping algae and aquatic plants grow, which provide food and habitat for fish, shellfish and other animals that live in streams, rivers and lakes.  But, it’s possible to have too much of a good thing. Too much nitrogen in [...]

You probably know that failing to maintain your septic tank could cost you thousands of dollars in repairs – just ask Jack and Greg from “Meet the Parents.”  But did you know that excess nitrogen, phosphorus and other toxins from leaky septic tanks can be washed into our waterways and oceans, where they can sicken [...]

Spring rains mean that the historic drought in Texas may be over and that’s very good news for Galveston Bay. The multi-year drought reduced freshwater flow into the Bay from the Trinity River and other tributaries, making it saltier and creating detrimental conditions for native finfish, crustaceans and shellfish. The high salinity levels also helped [...]

What is a nitrogen footprint and why is it so important?  Well, just like a carbon footprint, a nitrogen footprint approximates how much nitrogen your daily activities produce over a period of time. Nitrogen is important because it builds our DNA, amino acids and proteins that grow the tissues of all living things.  Farmers use [...]

Did you know that sunlight helps aquatic plants grow, too?  Sunlight is an important element for photosynthesis, the process by which plants use sunlight, carbon dioxide and water to create energy to grow and live.  Sunlight entering the water can be blocked by algal blooms – accumulations of algae that form when there is too [...]

What does driving have to do with water pollution? Fuels burned while driving create nitrogen oxides that are released through a car’s tailpipe into the air. Nitrogen is the most abundant element in the air we breathe and essential to plant and animal life – but too much of it can contribute to the formation [...]

The Mississippi River is the largest river in the United States – and one of the largest in the world! The Mississippi River Watershed covers over 1,245,000 square miles and drains all or part of 31 states, many of which are home to important agricultural areas. Nitrogen and phosphorus nutrients in fertilizers applied to agricultural [...]

Friday, April 27 is National Arbor Day.  Trees not only add beauty and value to our landscape, they also provide many environmental benefits.  In a year, a single healthy tree: Has the same cooling effect as ten room-sized air conditioners running continually. Absorbs 750 gallons of stormwater, preventing erosion and protecting water quality. Filters 60 [...]

Every time it rains, thousands of pounds of pet waste left outside wash down storm drains and into local waters. Pet waste can harm water quality in lakes, rivers and streams, making the water unsafe for drinking. Bacteria and nutrients from pet waste can turn fertile waters green from weed and algae growth, making the [...]

Installing a rain barrel at home can save water and have a significant impact on your water bill. Depending on the size of your home and the amount of rainfall in your area, you can collect a substantial amount of rainwater with a simple system. Rainwater stored in rain barrels can be used to water [...]

Invasive species – those that are not native to a specific region – often grow fast, spread easily and displace native species. Invasives come in many shapes and sizes, negatively impacting wildlife diversity and the health of an ecosystem. Invasive weeds can reduce crop yield and compete with native forage plants in pastures, reducing food [...]

New research shows that estuaries are vital for salmon survival. Pacific salmon species—Chinook, Coho, sockeye, pink and chum, in particular—use intertidal marsh areas in estuaries as transition zones to acclimatize from fresh to salt water and back again as they complete their life cycles. Among the findings: marsh habitats are consistently used by juvenile Chinook [...]

Animals like frogs and turtles are waiting out winter by submerging or freezing. As spring temperatures rise and their prey becomes active, reptiles and amphibians will make use of small pools of melt water called vernal ponds. These temporary pools are the breeding grounds and also the feeding grounds for many animals. As the spring [...]

As the weather warms up, washing your car on the street or in your driveway may seem harmless, but do you ever wonder where all the dirt, grime and soap go after washing down your driveway and into the storm drain? Most storm drains discharge water directly into a local lake, stream or river untreated. [...]

Are you spring cleaning? Cleaning products like soaps and detergents keep our clothes, dishes and floors looking their best.  But some of the chemicals found in these products impact water quality in our streams and rivers. Many soaps and detergents use phosphates as cleansers. When soapy water goes down the drain, it ends up at [...]

Each year, about 1.4 million metric tons  of nitrogen reach the Gulf of Mexico from the Mississippi River and its watershed.  Much of this pollution comes from rain water runoff from roadways, lawn and gardens, sewage treatment plants and agricultural areas.  The Mississippi River provides essential water for fishing, floating, boating and swimming, but too [...]

Each year, World Wetlands Day is celebrated on February 2nd. Wetlands come in many forms and go by many names – estuaries, bogs, mangrove swamps, vernal pools, marshes, riparian wetlands, cypress swamps, playa lakes and more! Wetland areas improve water quality, provide flood protection and support tons of fish, wildlife and plants. If you’ve been [...]