Listen to the podcast.

The Watershed Approach

IT’S AN INTERCONNECTED WORLD, SO WATER QUALITY PROBLEMS IN CITIES AND INLAND AREAS CAN MAKE THEIR WAY TO THE OCEAN.  LET’S GO WITH THE FLOW ON TODAY’S ENVIRONMINUTE.

CONSERVATIONIST ALDO LEOPOLD SUMMED IT UP BY SAYING THAT “THE LAND IS ONE ORGANISM.  ITS PARTS, LIKE OUR OWN PARTS, COMPETE WITH EACH OTHER AND COOPERATE WITH EACH OTHER."

POLLUTION IN A WATERSHED CAN ENTER STREAMS, TRAVEL DOWN RIVERS, AND WIND UP IN THE OCEAN.  THAT’S WHY CRAIG HOOKS OF THE E-P-A OFFICE OF WETLANDS, OCEANS, AND WATERSHEDS SAYS PROTECTING OUR COASTS REQUIRES A COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH.

HOOKS: PEOPLE TEND TO THINK THAT IT’S JUST THE COAST THAT THEY REALLY HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT CLEANING UP, WHEN YOU REALLY HAVE TO START WORRYING ABOUT WHAT’S HAPPENING IN THE UPPER WATER COLUMN.

YOU CAN HELP BY CONSERVING WATER, USING LESS FERTILIZER, DISPOSING OF WASTE PROPERLY, AND REMEMBERING THAT YOUR ACTIONS HAVE FAR-REACHING CONSEQUENCES.

THE ENVIRONMINUTE IS MADE POSSIBLE BY THE HEINZ FAMILY PHILANTHROPIES AND THE HEINZ ENDOWMENTS.  LEARN MORE BY VISITING ENVIRONMINUTE-DOT-COM. 

To learn more, visit the EPA office of Wetlands, Oceans, and Watersheds.