Top Ten Things You Can Do to Help Galveston Bay
1. Landscape with native or WaterSmart plants at your home or business. Choose low-maintenance, drought-tolerant plants that are adapted to our local climate and soils. Doing so will reduce your need for water, pesticides, and fertilizers, reducing harmful runoff pollution while creating a beautiful habitat in your own backyard. You can save money and the Bay at the same time!
2. Reduce your impact on water quality. Consider using organic fertilizers and pesticides, and utilize non-toxic household cleaners. If you use chemical fertilizers, pesticides, apply them properly so they do not end up flowing to our waterways and the Bay. If you have a septic tank, ensure that it is functioning properly with an annual inspection and cleanout.
3. Dispose of hazardous materials properly. Avoid dumping oil, paints, cleaners, and other toxic materials down storm drains or gutters. Dispose of your household hazardous waste at a collection event.
4. Report Spills and Dumping. Do not tolerate leaking or overflowing sewer lines or accidental or intentional dumping of wastes. Contact local, state, and/or federal agencies for assistance.
5. Conserve water. The estuary depends on inflows of fresh water for its survival. To reduce your use and leave more for the bay, water your lawn conservatively and prevent water from running into the streets. Use landscape water-conservation practices such as drip sprinklers, rain barrels, and mulching. Water primarily at dawn or dusk to minimize evaporation, take shorter showers, and use your washing machine and dishwasher less. Fix leaky toilets and faucets and purchase low-water-use fixtures and appliances.
6. Reduce your vehicle trips. Air pollutants from tailpipe exhausts can ultimately end up in the water, contributing nitrogen loads that can contribute to algae blooms and depleted oxygen.
7. Volunteer. Participate in organized activities such as marsh-planting projects, trash cleanups, species protection, water quality monitoring, workshops on conservation landscaping.
8. Join a Watershed Group. If there isn’t a group in your watershed yet, stay tuned. Groups are forming around the bay. Contact GBEP for more information.
9. Support local and state land-conservation efforts and land-trust organizations that are dedicated to protecting natural open spaces, maintaining wildlife habitat, and restoring recreational trails.
10. Involve children. Help the next generation appreciate Galveston Bay by taking children fishing, crabbing, bird watching, canoeing, or boating. Take advantage of opportunities for environmental education offered by schools and organizations.
Find other things you can do at home or business to protect Galveston Bay on our citizens’ action page.
In addition to being a citizen of the bay area, you may also have another relationship to the bay if you own a business in the watershed or are a member of a bay user group such as a civic association, boaters, anglers, etc. Visit our bay user group page to learn how your group can get involved in bay protection.