8 Ways to Be River-Friendly This Earth Day

This content was originally published by Stuart Country Day School. View the original post at stuartschool.org/blog.

At Stuart Country Day School in Princeton, NJ, environmental stewardship is woven into the curriculum. On our way to becoming a certified River-Friendly School through The Watershed Institute, our community logged over 30 points in advanced stewardship projects across water quality, conservation, wildlife habitat, and outreach. Lower School STEM Teacher Kate O'Brian shares eight ways to bring that same river-friendly spirit home.

1. Become a Native Plant Detective: Research one native plant and one invasive species in your area before planting your garden. Native plants are perfectly adapted to our climate and provide necessary food and shelter for local wildlife.

2. Ditch the Chemicals: Commit to keeping at least one section of your yard free of synthetic pesticides. Eliminating pesticides protects beneficial insects and prevents toxic chemicals from leaching into groundwater.

3. Calculate Your Water Footprint: Take the online Water Footprint Calculator quiz to see where your household can cut back. Conservation starts with awareness.

4. Give Birds a Room of Their Own: Install a bird box or nesting platform tailored to a specific local species. Secure nesting spots help stabilize bird populations displaced by development.

5. Get Your Hands Dirty (Literally): Grab a pair of gloves and spend 30 minutes picking up litter near a local waterway or storm drain. Removing trash prevents microplastics from breaking down into our drinking water sources.

6. Test Your Soil Before You Plant: Use a home soil test kit to check the pH and nutrient levels of your garden. Knowing your soil helps you choose the right plant for the right place and prevents the over-application of fertilizers.

7. Become a Stream Watcher: Visit a local stream and observe the water clarity and the variety of life beneath the rocks. You can also contribute data as a citizen scientist through the Watershed Institute's StreamWatch Program.

8. Choose Reusable Over Single-Use: Switch to a reusable water bottle to eliminate the need for single-use plastics. Reducing plastic consumption at the source keeps our rivers and oceans cleaner for future generations.

To learn more about Stuart's river-friendly journey, click here.