2.1 Water Conservation/Water Pollution Prevention
Summary
1. Water quality testing
2. Water conservation practices in the Children's Garden
3. We are Bay-Wise certified!
4. "Who Polluted the Bay" game
5. Stream clean-ups
2. Water conservation practices in the Children's Garden
3. We are Bay-Wise certified!
4. "Who Polluted the Bay" game
5. Stream clean-ups
1. Water Quality Testing
2021 - ongoing
The AP Environmental Science class from Notre Dame Prep conducts water quality testing of CVP's Minebank Run in conjunction with the Department of Environmental Protection. The students recommend solutions and potential improvements based on their findings. (20 students, grades 10-12).
2021 - ongoing
The AP Environmental Science class from Notre Dame Prep conducts water quality testing of CVP's Minebank Run in conjunction with the Department of Environmental Protection. The students recommend solutions and potential improvements based on their findings. (20 students, grades 10-12).
2. Water conservation practices in the Children's Garden
Ongoing
In our Children's Garden, a half-acre oasis used for school field trips, the Children's Garden Club, the Adult Garden Club and other nature and agricultural education programs, we routinely use water wisely in the following ways:
-- We use the square-foot gardening method which recommends directing water to the soil at the base of a plant where it is needed. We do not use sprinklers which can result in evaporative water loss.
-- We mulch vegetables and native beds to keep the soil moist between waterings.
-- We water in the morning to reduce evaporative water loss.
-- We select native perennials that are adapted to local conditions and require less water than non-native ornamentals.
-- We use the square-foot gardening method which recommends directing water to the soil at the base of a plant where it is needed. We do not use sprinklers which can result in evaporative water loss.
-- We mulch vegetables and native beds to keep the soil moist between waterings.
-- We water in the morning to reduce evaporative water loss.
-- We select native perennials that are adapted to local conditions and require less water than non-native ornamentals.
3. We are Bay-Wise certified!
Ongoing
Our Children's Garden is certified as a Bay-Wise Garden by the University of Maryland Extension. As such, CVP is recognized for its efforts to prevent water pollution. The captions on each picture describe our Bay-Wise practices.
We mange garden pests with integrated pest management. We manually remove pests from plants, provide habitats for native beneficial insects, do not use pesticides, have fencing to deter deer and groundhogs, and remove plant debris. Above, young gardeners hand-pick Colorado Potato Beetles from our potato plants and drop them in soapy water.
4. "Who Polluted the Bay?"
Summer Camp game
Annual
Each week at CVP's summer camp, the children enjoy playing a round of "Who Polluted the Bay?" The game teaches about the sources of hazardous materials that find their way to the Bay and fosters dialogue about what can be done to prevent water pollution.
Summer Camp game
Annual
Each week at CVP's summer camp, the children enjoy playing a round of "Who Polluted the Bay?" The game teaches about the sources of hazardous materials that find their way to the Bay and fosters dialogue about what can be done to prevent water pollution.
5. Stream clean-ups
August 2018, 2019, 2021
On a regular basis, groups of volunteers from various organizations pick up trash in and around Minebank Run. CVP staff discuss with them how everything that is in Minebank Run will make its way to the Bay, so litter patrol in and around our stream is essential to protecting the health of the Bay.
August 2018, 2019, 2021
On a regular basis, groups of volunteers from various organizations pick up trash in and around Minebank Run. CVP staff discuss with them how everything that is in Minebank Run will make its way to the Bay, so litter patrol in and around our stream is essential to protecting the health of the Bay.