The 90-Day Plan: DAY 90

DAY 90

TAKE YOURSELF to the RIVER. 

Congratulations! 

How many rivers are connected between you andthe ocean? 

How can you celebrate rivers today? 

What did you do, where did you go, who did you meet, etc?

Challenge: How do you feel now that you have completed this program?  Continue to produce a

positive RIPPLE EFFECT, this is only the beginning.  What you do today ripples on to tomorrow. The

journey continues…

For More Information:

h1p://www.standingupforillinois.org/cleanwater/iord_index.php 

www.belowthesurface.org 

The 90-Day Plan: DAY 89

DAY 89

DETERMINE if THE 90-DAY PLAN was HELPFUL for you to better understand and care for water and

for the world in which you live.

Questions:

What did you like about the program?

What did you dislike about the program?

What were some unexpected things that happened to you as you were going day to day?

What conservation tips have you been consistently using? Can you stick with at least 10?

Do you have any suggestions or ideas to make it better?

The 90-Day Plan: DAY 88

DAY 88

LOOK DOWNSTREAM

We all live in a Watershed.  Everything we do on land ultimately impacts the water, for better or for worse. Who lives downstream from you?

What towns, cities, and other waterways are downstream from you?  Are you making life better or worse for people downstream.

Challenge:

Everything we do adds up.  Every action is either part of the problem or part of the solution.

I challenge you to BE THE SOLUTION!


www.belowthesurface.org

The 90-Day Plan: DAY 87

DAY 87

BUILD A BUFFER

Runoff is a plague.  Especially stormwater runoff.  It contains lawn chemicals, oil and grease from streets, and excess water that increases erosion.

Fortunately, there are simple solutions to minimize runoff and building buffers are the best way to do so.  Buffers don't even really need to be built, just grown.  By leaving a two foot barrier of tall grass or native plants along the edge of your property, you can significantly reduce runoff.  This is especially important if you live near surface water such as streams, rivers, or lakes.

Challenge:

Encourage your local municipality to support the use of buffers around public waterways by presenting the idea at a council meeting.

For More Information:

http://cfpub.epa.gov/npdes/stormwater/menuofbmps/index.cfm?action=browse&Rbutton=detail&bmp=82

http://www.urbanforestrysouth.org/resources/library/copy5_of_construction-site-storm-water-runoff-control-vegetated-buffer/view

The 90-Day Plan: DAY 86

DAY 86

TAKE IT TO THE CLEANERS

This common act involves a lot of chemicals, plastic, and driving.  Luckily, there are things we can do to minimize our overall impact.  Returning hangers, buying a canvass bag for the dirties and a hanging bag for the clean clothes will reduce your plastic waste are all solid solutions.

Challenge:

Wear as many fabrics that do not need to be dry cleaned and when you do need to go to the Cleaners, make sure they don't use Perchloroethylene (PERC).  PERC is also petroleum-based, enough said.

For More Information:

http://www.treehugger.com/files/2007/09/are_there_green.php

http://home.howstuffworks.com/dry-cleaning.htm

The 90-Day Plan: DAY 85

DAY 85

GO GRAY!

About 99% of all of the water that enters your home exits through the drain.  All of that water, save for what goes down the toilet and kitchen sink, can be reused.

Gray water systems are a fantastic way to save money on watering costs, ease the strain on water treatment facilities, and replenish groundwater.  Best of all, they can be made to fit any household.

Challenge:

Have your home appraised for a Gray Water system today!  Why wait?

For More Information:

http://www.graywater.net/

http://www.montysplumbing.com/17601.html

The 90-Day Plan: DAY 84

DAY 84

SURF & TURF

Take a hike, then go for a paddle.  Go for a run, then go for a swim.  Go biking, then go surfing.


I want you to pick a trail with a nice vantage point and change in elevation; it could be a small hill or a mountain.  During your venture look at how everything interacts.  What types of plants and animals do you see?  What types of pollutants are there?  How does it all come together?

This is an act of watershed awareness.  It's all connected!

Challenge:

Join, support, or volunteer for a conservation group on land and on the water.

For More Information:

http://www.greenlandsbluewaters.org/


http://www.surfrider.org/whatwedo4.asp

Go to above link and see video on bottom of the page!

The 90-Day Plan: DAY 83

DAY 83

GO WITH THE FLOW

We constantly benefit from the True Power of nature.  Try an activity that harnesses nature's power and increases your own--kayaking, sailing, surfing.  The list goes on...

Matching myself with nature has taught me a lot about this planet and myself.  It's truly a good combination.  How can this principle of 'going with the flow' be applied to our lives?

Challenge:

Take it a step forward and try to replace a motor-driven or electricity driven past-time with one a bit more rewarding.

For More Information:


http://zenhabits.net/2008/02/12-practical-steps-for-learning-to-go-with-the-flow/

The 90-Day Plan: DAY 82

DAY 82

LOWER YOUR TAXES

What?  Really?  This may seem far off but check it out, conservation is less expensive than restoration.  It is easier to take care of what we've got than it is to try and fix it once it's destroyed.  A stitch in time save nine.

Take staying in shape vs. getting back into shape for instance.

The bottom line is, the more we invest in caring for what we have, the less of a price we'll have to pay later.

Challenge:

Think momentum, think inertia.  Take part in a conservation project and a restoration project to know the difference.

For More Information:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r87wJ1QmyYw 

The 90-Day Plan: DAY 81

DAY 81

MAKE IT JUNK-TIONAL!

By now, you've probably noticed that we throw a lot of stuff away.  So why not make something cool with your junk?  Look what these guys did with old wetsuits: http://www.ovny.org/store/shop/category.asp?catid=8

You can put a fishbowl in an old TV, make a journal out of scratch paper, have an art project, or do something a heck of a lot more creative!  Just pick something and don't just let it go to waste.

Challenge:

The Bigger the Better!

For More Information:

http://www.surfline.com/surf-news/how-our-plastic-use-is-coming-back-at-us-in-waves_30095/

The 90-Day Plan: DAY 80

DAY 80

BE POSITIVE and find a substitute for anti-bacterial soaps

The ingredient Triclosan is found in products ranging from dish soaps to acne wash and extremely harmful to marine organisims.

It is shown to disrupt hormone function and development in dolphins.  The implications of this ingredient are only beginning to be understood--if small concentrations can make it through sewage treatment facilities and into the ocean think of the impact it may have on your health!

Challenge:  Get rid of it!  Most soaps are strong enough to keep you clean and in some cases, killing too many germs can backfire by creating SUPERBUGS.

For More Information:

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=dolphin-development-antibacterial-soap-triclosan  

The 90-Day Plan: DAY 79

DAY 79

MAKE SOMETHING HAPPEN

Share or design a conservation project or presentation to inform others about what you have learned over the last three months.

Present it to s school, city government, or conservation group.

Consider the importance of getting other people involved and why it is critical to raise awareness.


Challenge: Write a letter to the editor (any editor), as to what role people should play in addressing water pollution in your community.

The 90-Day Plan: DAY 78

DAY 78

SPEAK UP

BLOW the WHISTLE on pollution.

What are these pipes dumping in the river?

If you don’t speak up, who will? If you have questions about safe water call: (800) 426-4791. Simply put: if something is not right, it is wrong.

Challenge: Who is Rachel Carson? Volunteer and become a trained to monitor water.


Extra Challenge: Are you registered to vote? Why is this important?


For More Information:

http://www.epa.gov/epahome/violations.htm

http://www.blogger.com/www.worldwatermonitoringday.org

http://www.blogger.com/www.epa.gov/owow/monitoring/volunteer

The 90-Day Plan: DAY 77

DAY 77

REGISTER YOUR WATERSHED

Using the link below, REGISTER YOUR WATERSHED and take some level of personal responsibility for keeping it healthy.

We all live downstream and within a watershed. What we do on land ultimately impacts the water so it is important to know where our actions ripple off to.

Challenge: Where does your watershed begin? How far does it extend? What are current concerns facing your watershed? What solutions, if any, are being implemented to correct any damage done? Organize a clean-up effort for your local waterway.


For More Information:

http://www.epa.gov/adopt/

http://epa.gov/surf

The 90-Day Plan: DAY 76

DAY 76

STAY INFORMED

What you don’t know can hurt you and the environment.

Awareness is a critical component of conservation; whether it is keeping other people up to speed or yourself, STAY INFORMED and make your own decisions.

Knowledge is power.

What are sentinels or “what is the canary in the coal mine?” What can indicator species tell us about our actions as humans?


Challenge: Research some environmental and/or conservation organizations. Subscribe to their online newsletter. What does Surfrider’s State of the Beach Report say about your favorite beach? Use this link to find out: http://www.surfrider.org/stateofthebeach/home.asp


For More Information:

http://water.usgs.gov/nwc/

http://www.nal.usda.gov/wqic/

The 90-Day Plan: DAY 75

DAY 75

THINK GLOBALLY, ACT LOCALLY!

Consider the planet and how your actions are part of a much bigger picture. If you were to divide the world's coastline by the world's population, each one of us would have about 5 inches of beach!

In other words, it's a small planet and everything we do adds up.

Continue to make a difference in your world; you never know how big your ripple will grow or how many people it may affect.

We’re in this together...



Challenge: Investigate the term: ‘Water Rights.’ Who can rightly claim water? What is your prediction for ‘Water Rights’ disputes in the future? How does watershed management fit into thinking globally and acting locally?


For More Information:

http://www.worldwaterday.net/

The 90-Day Plan: DAY 74

DAY 74

GET INVOLVED

Consider one or two things you would like to see improve in your world and GET INVOLVED to make it happen!

Even as individuals, it all adds up and there is no limit to the difference we can make.


Challenge: Don’t waste time doing anything other than following your passions.

The following link will show you how BIG of a RIPPLE one person can have: www.livinglandsandwaters.org



For More Information:

http://www.epa.state.il.us/education.html

www.surfrider.org

The 90-Day Plan: DAY 73

DAY 73

ADVOCATE FOR MARIE PROTECTED AREAS!

Humans are an inter-tidal species. Become an ADVOCATE for MARINE PROTECTED AREAS, MPAs. These areas increase the survival potential and population density for marine life by giving them a sanctuary to feed and reproduce.

Look up what groups like Surfrider & Oceana are doing to increase Marine Protected Areas.


Challenge:
America’s oceans span 4.5 million square miles—23% more area than our land, this makes up our Exclusive Economic Zone. Write your representatives to increase their support of Marine Protected Areas.

For More Information:

http://mpa.gov/

www.coastalamerica.gov

The 90-Day Plan: DAY 72

DAY 72

PLAN AN EXPEDITION

An expedition is much more than just a trip or vacation--it is a venture of discovery!

Choose to explore an environmental issue anywhere in the world.


Challenge: Nothing ventured, nothing gained. Someday, make this plan a reality!



For More Information:

www.island63.com

www.topomaps.usgs.gov

http://www.nationalgeographicexpeditions.com/