Conservation In Action Map |
Conservation In Action Pictures |
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What Are Best Management Practices?
Best management practices (BMPs) is a term used in the United States and Canada to describe a type of water pollution control. Historically the term has referred to auxiliary pollution controls in the fields of industrial wastewater control and municipal sewage control, while in stormwater management (both urban and rural) and wetland management, BMPs may refer to a principal control or treatment technique as well. wikipedia.org
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Critical area planting (www.nrcs.usda.gov) Establishment of permanent vegetation on sites that have, or are expected to have, high erosion rates, and on sites that have conditions that prevent the establishment of vegetation with normal practices. Grassed waterways (www.nrcs.usda.gov) These are constructed graded channels that are seeded to grass or other suitable vegetation. The vegetation slows the water and the grassed waterway conveys the water to a stable outlet at a non-erosive velocity. How it helps the land Grass or permanent vegetation established in waterways protects the soil from concentrated flows. Grassed waterways significantly reduce gully erosion. Heavy Use Area Pad (www.nrcs.usda.gov) The stabilization of areas frequently and intensively used by people, animals or vehicles by establishing vegetative cover, by surfacing with suitable materials, and/or by installing needed structures. HUAPs: Reduce soil erosion / Improve water quantity and quality / Improve air quality / Improve aesthetics / Improve livestock health Pollinator Areas/Habitats (www.nrcs.usda.gov) Animal pollinators are needed for the reproduction of 90% of flowering plants and one third of human food crops. Pollinators include bees, butterflies, moths, beetles, flies, birds, and bats. Each of us depends on pollinators in a practical way to provide us with the wide range of foods we eat. In addition, pollinators are part of the intricate web that supports the biological diversity in natural ecosystems that helps sustain our quality of life. Abundant and healthy populations of pollinators can improve fruit set and quality, and increase fruit size. In farming situations this increases production per acre. In the wild, biodiversity increases and wildlife food sources increase. |
Rain Gardens (https://www.americanrivers.org) Rain gardens are an attractive way to collect runoff and encourage groundwater recharge. When it rains polluted stormwater often pours directly into rivers from dirty streets and parking lots, or into overburdened wastewater and drinking water treatment systems. This poses a health hazard for people, as well as fish and wildlife To reduce the effects of stormwater, American Rivers works on the local, state and federal levels to promote a range of green infrastructure solutions — from localized practices such as rain gardens, green roofs, and rain barrels, to larger scale efforts for comprehensive low-impact development. Water Catchment Systems Rainwater harvesting is collecting the run-off from a structure or other impervious surface in order to store it for later use. Traditionally, this involves harvesting the rain from a roof. The rain will collect in gutters that channel the water into downspouts and then into some sort of storage vessel. Rainwater collection systems can be as simple as collecting rain in a rain barrel or as elaborate as harvesting rainwater into large cisterns to supply your entire household demand. (www.watercache.com/education/rainwater-harvesting-101) Rain Barrels Rain barrels, which attach to downspouts, catch rainwater which would otherwise flow into sewers and over dirty streets. These approaches work in concert with nature to collect and filter runoff, reduce flooding, and minimize pollution in our rivers and streams while helping to save money and energy too. (https://www.americanrivers.org) |
