Everyone has heard the old adage, “April showers bring May flowers.” The Plant More Plants campaign encourages homeowners to prepare for those spring showers while having fun, improving their yards and reducing polluted runoff.
Now in its second year, Plant More Plants encourages homeowners to “plant more plants” as a way to mitigate stormwater runoff and erosion and ultimately improve the health of the Chesapeake Bay. The campaign is led by the Virginia Department of Conservation and Recreation, with a number of other Chesapeake Bay Program partners in Virginia, Maryland and Washington, D.C.
“The message behind this campaign is that we all take actions that impact the health of our local streams and the Chesapeake Bay. Some of those can be fun and have a positive effect. Planting trees, shrubs and hardy perennials not only improves our yards and homes, but it also can help local streams and the bay,” said DCR Public Relations Manager Gary Waugh, coordinator of the Plant More Plants campaign. “Plant More Plants shows you how.”
More than 40 retail nurseries and garden centers, and 40 landscape companies, designers and architects, are partners spreading the “more plants, less runoff, healthier Bay” message. The campaign website, www.plantmoreplants.com, lists all partners in addition to easy-to-use planting plans, native plant guides and additional landscaping and planting resources.
“There are many tremendous resources out there for the do-it-yourself landscaper,” Waugh said. “One goal of Plant More Plants was to develop one source for some of the best. Homeowners can also show their commitment to a more beautiful yard and better water quality by taking the Plant More Plants pledge.”
Stormwater runoff is one of the fastest-growing sources of pollution and water quality degradation within the Chesapeake Bay, yet many homeowners don’t realize the connection between their lawns, stormwater and impacts on water quality. Spring showers threaten to wash the chemicals and fertilizers meant to make lawns green and beautiful into streams, rivers and, ultimately, the Chesapeake Bay. Once in the waterways, these pollutants fuel the growth of excess algae, which threaten the bay’s health.
By planting native trees, shrubs and perennials, homeowners can filter stormwater and prevent runoff. Plant More Plants puts a spotlight on this issue by partnering with industry organizations and advocates, educating consumers on how to help and providing bay-friendly solutions and resources for homeowners as they seek to enhance their curb appeal.
-Press release
Follow the campaign at:
facebook.com/plantmoreplants
twitter.com/growsomegood
youtube.com/user/PlantMorePlants/videos
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